Neurological complications of COVID-19.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused several pandemic peaks worldwide due to its high variability and infectiousness, and COVID-19 has become a long-standing global public health problem. There is growing evidence that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) frequently causes multi-organ injuries and more severe neurological manifestations. Therefore, increased awareness of possible neurological complications is beneficial in preventing and mitigating the impact of long-term sequelae and improving the prognostic outcome of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Here, we review the main pathways of SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion and the potential mechanisms causing neurological damage. We also discuss in detail neurological complications, aiming to provide cutting-edge basis for subsequent related basic research and clinical studies of diagnosis and treatment.

Experience about workflow of standardized cabin CT scan in module hospital during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Since the outbreak of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei in December 2019, a total of 80 424 patients have been diagnosed until March 3, 2020, which has caused significant inpact in national health and economics. Module hospital played a vital role in effectively controlling the source of infection and cutting off the transmission channels.Compared with the CT room in a conventional hospital, the cabin CT is very different in terms of infection area settings, protective isolation measures and inspection procedures. This article covers CT room design, staffing responsibilities, division of infected areas, inspection procedures, protection and disinfection, and other aspects.Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese Medical Association.

[Establishment and preliminary application of quantitative real-time PCR assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic nucleocapsid RNA].

Objective: To establish a rapid and specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic nucleocapsid RNA (SgN) in patients with COVID-19 or environmental samples. Methods: The qPCR assay was established by designing specific primers and TaqMan probe based on the SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequence in Global Initiative of Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database. The reaction conditions were optimized by using different annealing temperature, different primers and probe concentrations and the standard curve was established. Further, the specificity, sensitivity and repeatability were also assessed. The established SgN and genomic RNA (gRNA) qPCR assays were both applied to detect 21 environmental samples and 351 clinical samples containing 48 recovered patients. In the specimens with both positive gRNA and positive SgN, 25 specimens were inoculated on cells. Results: The primers and probes of SgN had good specificity for SARS-CoV-2. The minimum detection limit of the preliminarily established qPCR detection method for SgN was 1.5×102 copies/ml, with a coefficient of variation less than 1%. The positive rate of gRNA in 372 samples was 97.04% (361/372). The positive rates of SgN in positive environmental samples and positive clinical samples were 36.84% (7/19) and 49.42% (169/342), respectively. The positive rate and copy number of SgN in Wild strain were lower than those of SARS-CoV-2 Delta strain. Among the 25 SgN positive samples, 12 samples within 5 days of sampling time were all isolated with virus; 13 samples sampled for more than 12 days had no cytopathic effect. Conclusion: A qPCR method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 SgN has been successfully established. The sensitivity, specificity and repeatability of this method are good.

Camera-Based Blood Pressure Estimation via Windkessel Model and Waveform Features

Blood pressure (BP) is generally regarded as the vital sign most strongly correlated with human health. However, for decades, BP measurement has involved a cuff, which causes discomfort and even carries a risk of infection, given the current prevalence of COVID-19. Some studies address these problems using remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), which has shown great success in heart rate detection. Nevertheless, these approaches are not robust, and few have been evaluated with a sufficiently large dataset. We propose an rPPG-based BP estimation algorithm that predicts BP by leveraging the Windkessel model and hand-crafted waveform characteristics. A waveform processing procedure is presented for the rPPG signals to obtain a robust waveform template and thus extract BP-related features. Redundant and unstable features are eliminated via Monte Carlo simulation and according to their relationship with latent parameters (LSs) in the Windkessel model. For a comprehensive evaluation, the Chiao Tung BP (CTBP) dataset was constructed. The experiment was conducted over a four-week period of time to evaluate the validity period of the personalization in our system. On all the data, the proposed method outperforms the benchmark algorithms and yields mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 6.48 and 5.06 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), respectively. The performance achieves a 'B' grade according to the validation protocol from the British Hypertension Society (BHS) for both SBP and DBP. © 1963-2012 IEEE.

Self-employment as an Alternative to Labor Market Bifurcation: The Role of Human and Ethnic Social Capital

The COVID-19 outbreak that began in 2020 has changed human activities and thus reduced anthropogenic carbon emissions in most parts of the world. To accurately study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in atmospheric XCO2 concentrations, a data fusion method called High Accuracy Surface Modeling (HASM) is applied using the CO2 simulation from GEOS-Chem as the driving field and GOSAT XCO2 observations as the accuracy control conditions to obtain continuous spatiotemporal global XCO2 concentrations. Cross-validation shows that using High Accuracy Surface Modeling greatly improves the mean absolute error and root mean square error of the XCO2 data compared with those for GEOS-Chem simulation data before fusion, and the R (2) is also increased from 0.54 to 0.79 after fusion. Moreover, OCO-2/OCO-3 XCO2 observational data verify that the fused XCO2 data achieve a lower MAE and RMSE. Spatiotemporal analysis shows that the global XCO2 concentration exhibited no obvious trend before or after the COVID-19 outbreak, but the growth of global and terrestrial atmospheric XCO2 in 2020 can reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;that is, the rapid growth in terrestrial atmospheric XCO2 observed before 2019 slowed, and high-speed growth resumed in 2021. Finally, obvious differences in the pattern of XCO2 growth are found on different continents.

Spatiotemporal analysis of global atmospheric XCO2 concentrations before and after COVID-19 using HASM data fusion method

The COVID-19 outbreak that began in 2020 has changed human activities and thus reduced anthropogenic carbon emissions in most parts of the world. To accurately study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in atmospheric XCO2 concentrations, a data fusion method called High Accuracy Surface Modeling (HASM) is applied using the CO2 simulation from GEOS-Chem as the driving field and GOSAT XCO2 observations as the accuracy control conditions to obtain continuous spatiotemporal global XCO2 concentrations. Cross-validation shows that using High Accuracy Surface Modeling greatly improves the mean absolute error and root mean square error of the XCO2 data compared with those for GEOS-Chem simulation data before fusion, and the R2 is also increased from 0.54 to 0.79 after fusion. Moreover, OCO-2/OCO-3 XCO2 observational data verify that the fused XCO2 data achieve a lower MAE and RMSE. Spatiotemporal analysis shows that the global XCO2 concentration exhibited no obvious trend before or after the COVID-19 outbreak, but the growth of global and terrestrial atmospheric XCO2 in 2020 can reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;that is, the rapid growth in terrestrial atmospheric XCO2 observed before 2019 slowed, and high-speed growth resumed in 2021. Finally, obvious differences in the pattern of XCO2 growth are found on different continents. Copyright © 2023 Liu, Wu and Yue.

Camera-based Blood Pressure Estimation via Windkessel Model and Waveform Features

Blood pressure (BP) is generally regarded as the vital sign most strongly correlated with human health. However, for decades, BP measurement has involved a cuff, which causes discomfort and even carries a risk of infection, given the current prevalence of COVID-19. Some studies address these problems using remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), which has shown great success in heart rate detection. Nevertheless, these approaches are not robust, and few have been evaluated with a sufficiently large dataset. We propose an rPPG-based BP estimation algorithm that predicts BP by leveraging the Windkessel model and hand-crafted waveform characteristics. A waveform processing procedure is presented for the rPPG signals to obtain a robust waveform template and thus extract BP-related features. Redundant and unstable features are eliminated via Monte Carlo simulation and according to their relationship with latent parameters in the Windkessel model. For a comprehensive evaluation, the Chiao Tung Blood Pressure (CTBP) dataset was constructed. The experiment was conducted over a four week period of time to evaluate the validity period of the personalization in our system. On all the data, the proposed method outperforms the benchmark algorithms and yields mean absolute errors of 6.48 mmHg and 5.06 mmHg for SBP and DBP, respectively. The performance achieves a “B”grade according to the validation protocol from the British Hypertension Society for both SBP and DBP. IEEE

A Pose Detection based Continuous Authentication System Design via Gait Feature Analysis

In recent years, with the increasing demand for public safety and the impact of pneumonia (Corona Virus Disease 2019, COVID-19), long-distance, contactless authentication has become a hot topic. Gait recognition technology has broad application prospect in computer vision field because of its ability of long-distance gait recognition and identification verification. On the other hand, with the development of big data, cloud computing, 5G, IoT and other technologies, which makes the Continuous authentication based on cameras is already possible. Therefore, we propose a continuous authentication system based on human pose estimation framework by analyzing and extracting gait characteristics. This system not only has the advantages of easy acquisition, long distance, contactless, and hard to disguise gait recognition, but also has the functions of dynamic authorization and continuous authentication, This method will bring a new development direction for the research of human pose estimation and gait recognition and other related fields. © 2022 IEEE.

Analyzing Jo-Ha-Kyu Mechanism in Japanese Traditional Performing Art Ningyo Joruri

IoT devices that connect people without physical contact become more and more important after the COVID-19 impact. However, strange appearances and movements performed by IoT devices (interactive humanoid robots) cause human discomfort, so-called the uncanny valley, preventing widespread use of humanoid IoT devices. On the contrary, a Japanese traditional performing art named Ningyo Joruri (puppet theater) is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, and the sophisticated puppet motions and its unique music style somehow can avoid causing human discomfort even if the appearance of puppets is close enough to humans. One of the most important factors in empathizing humans with the puppet without uncomfortable is the modulation technique of both music tempo and motion speed known as Jo-Ha-Kyu. In this study, we analyzed Ningyo Joruri based on the Jo-Ha-Kyu mechanism, which is an art concept adopted in the puppet theater to interact with audiences according to modulation of the tempo. First, we obtained puppet movements using motion capture systems with the music. Second, we detected the changing tempo in Ningyo Joruri using the deep learning method to demonstrate the Jo-Ha-Kyu mechanism quantitatively. Finally, we showed the correlation of Jo-Ha-Kyu between Ningyo Joruri music and puppet manipulation techniques in the frequency domain using the Hilbert Huang transform. Our results revealed that low-frequency movements play an important role in synchronizing motion to the tempo of corresponding music, presenting novel knowledge to motion designers for humanoid robots IoT devices. © 2022 IEEE.

REOPENING UNDER COVID-19: THE IMPACT OF REOPENING SOCIETY ON OLDER ASIAN AMERICAN'S DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Background: The lockdown due to COVID-19 has influenced individuals' lives in many aspects. Yet, the impact of reopening under an ongoing pandemic is understudied. This study aims to investigate the impact of reopening policy on older Asian Americans' depressive symptoms and whether the impact varies by their sociodemographic characteristics.Method: We used interview data collected from 519 Chinese and Korean aged 60 and older in New York City between 5/23/2021 to 7/30/2021. Interrupted time series model was used to test whether there are significant level and slope changes in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scale) before and after the reopening on 7/1/2021 in NYC. We then ran the models in stratified sample by gender, education, income, self-reported health, and social connectedness through living arrangements, use of technology, and social interactions. Results: Older Asians' depression increased immediately following the reopening (ß=1.52, p< 0.05), and then slowly decreased then after (ß=-0.12, p< 0.001). A decrease in depression following reopening was significantly associated with the male gender, good health, higher income, living alone, having received or provided social support, daily texting, and no engagement in the discussions related to COVID-19 in social media. Discussions: While reopening may have long-term benefits on mental health, older Asians were anxious about their safety at the beginning of reopening under an ongoing pandemic. Older adults with worse health, lower SES, and limited social connectedness struggled to adjust to "back-to-normal” life. We discussed research, policy, and practice implications to support these disadvantaged older adults after reopening.

[Analysis of the whole genome traceability and transmission path simulation experiment of the local cluster COVID-19 epidemic].

Objective: To trace and characterize the whole genome of SARS-CoV-2 of confirmed cases in the outbreak of COVID-19 on July 31, 2021 in Henan Province. Method: Genome-wide sequencing and comparative analysis were performed on positive nucleic acid samples of SARS-CoV-2 from 167 local cases related to the epidemic on July 31, 2021, to analyze the consistency and evolution of the whole genome sequence of virus. Results: Through high-throughput sequencing, a total of 106 cases of SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences were obtained. The results of genome analysis showed that the whole genome sequences of 106 cases belonged to the VOC/Delta variant strain (B.1.617.2 clade), and the whole genome sequences of 106 cases were shared with the genomes of 3 imported cases from Myanmar admitted to a hospital in Zhengzhou. On the basis of 45 nucleotide sites, 1-5 nucleotide variation sites were added, and the genome sequence was highly homologous. Conclusion: Combined with the comprehensive analysis of viral genomics, transmission path simulation experiments and epidemiology, it is determined that the local new epidemic in Henan Province is caused by imported cases in the nosocomial area, and the spillover has caused localized infection in the community. At the same time, it spills over to some provincial cities and results in localized clustered epidemics.

Measurement of Blood Oxygen based on Remote-Photoplethysmography

SpO2, also known as blood oxygen saturation, is a vital physiological indicator in clinical care. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, silent hypoxia has been one of the most serious symptoms. This symptom makes the patient's SpO2 drop to an extremely low level without discomfort and causes medical care delay for many patients. Therefore, regularly checking our SpO2 has become a very important matter. Recent work has been looking for convenient and contact-free ways to measure SpO2 with cameras. However, most previous studies were not robust enough and didn't evaluate their algorithms on the data with a wide SpO2 range. In this paper, we proposed a novel non-contact method to measure SpO2 by using the weighted K-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm. Five features extracted from the RGB traces, POS, and CHROM signals were used in the KNN model. Two datasets using different ways to lower the SpO2 were constructed for evaluating the performance. The first one was collected through the breath-holding experiment, which induces more motion noise and confuses the actual blood oxygen features. The second dataset was collected at Song Syue Lodge, which locates at an elevation of 3150 meters and has lower oxygen concentration in the atmosphere making the SpO2 drop between the range of 80% to 90% without the need of holding breath. The proposed method outperforms the benchmark algorithms on the leave-one-subject-out and cross-dataset validation. © 2022 IEEE.

RNA Transfection with Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1alpha

Introduction: Ischemic necrosis of dermal flaps is a devastating complication of reconstructive surgery. The increasing prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and an aging population adds to this concern. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), a master regulator of the adaptive response to hypoxia, controls the expression of angiogenic growth factors. The development of biologically active, gene-specific mRNAs, especially in COVID-19 vaccines, has shown the ability for intracellular protein expression. We sought to express HIF-1alpha through mRNA transfection and determined its biological activity by measuring the upregulation of selected downstream targets. Method(s): 5'-methyl-capped poly-A tailed mRNA was generated using T7 RNA polymerase and verified by gel electrophoresis. Predominant and variant HIF-1alpha mRNA were transfected into primary human dermal fibroblasts via Lipofectamine in triplicate, and RNA levels were assessed using RT-qPCR. All gene expression levels were normalized to beta-actin expression levels Results: At one day after transfection, the levels of HIF-1alpha transcript were significantly higher in the cells transfected with predominant (p = 0.0104) and variant (p = 0.0007) HIF-1alpha transcripts relative to the control. Additionally, the expression of HIF-1alpha transcription product genes VEGF (p = 0.0274) and ANG-1 (p = 0.05) were significantly higher in the cells transfected with the HIF-1alpha transcripts than the control. Conclusion(s): Our approach led to the successful transfection of HIF-1alpha mRNA into human fibroblasts, resulting in upregulation of HIF-1alpha downstream angiogenic targets. Thus, the use of biologically active HIF-1alpha mRNA transfection offers a promising approach to inhibit ischemic necrosis.

Analysis of air pollution characteristics, transport pathways and potential source areas identification in Beijing before, during and after the COVID-19 outbreak

A series of lockdown measures in response to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak resulted in a drop in anthropogenic emissions and changes in concentrations of PM2.5 and O-3. Backward trajectories analysis, cluster analysis, potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) technologies were conducted to reveal the characteristics and potential source areas of pollutants in Beijing before the COVID-19 outbreak (BCO period), during the outbreak (COB period) and after the outbreak (ACO period), as well as the contemporaneous period in 2019 (CCO period), which is critical for exploring the efficient control measures and making policy. The results indicated that despite the significant reduction in anthropogenic emissions during the epidemic, the PM2.5 concentrations increased by 1.0% caused by unfavorable meteorological conditions. O-3 concentrations increased by 174.8% compared to that during the BCO period due to the increased temperature and inappropriate precursor reduction ratios. A considerable decrease of NO3- in PM2.5 was observed under the influence of significant reductions in vehicle emissions during the lockdown. The cluster analysis revealed that short-range transport played a significant role in the accumulation of local PM2.5 pollution, while long-range northwest airflows contributed more to O-3 accumulation, and weakened as the season changed. The PSCF and CWT analysis demonstrated that potential source areas of PM2.5 were mostly located in the central and southern Hebei, the southwestern Shandong in the CCO period, and expanded to central Inner Mongolia and northern Shanxi in the COB period. These areas were highly compatible with the high emission areas of the emission inventory statistics. After the outbreak, the source areas of O-3 were centered in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Shandong province, with a radial dispersion in all directions, while they were distributed in the central Mongolia and Inner Mongolia during the other periods.

A RARE PRESENTATION OF COVID-19-ASSOCIATED CENTRAL VENOUS THROMBOSIS

SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Case Report Posters 3 SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 01:45 pm INTRODUCTION: Due to a wide range of clinical presentations, central venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare neurologic condition that can be difficult to diagnose. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more cases of venous thromboembolic events have emerged and been found associated with COVID-19. We detail a potential case of COVID-19 associated CVT. CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old female with past medical history of obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, recurrent sinusitis, and presumed history of COVID-19 infection with anosmia, ageusia, and sinusitis symptoms three- months prior presented to the hospital with 1-month history of worsening, right-sided pain behind her ear, eye, head, posterior neck and shoulder, nausea, and photophobia, which had worsened in the last 5 days. She initially tried over-the-counter medications with no improvement. Vital signs were unremarkable. Examination was notable for frontal sinus and right postauricular tenderness to palpation. C- reactive protein was elevated at 26.2 mg/L. Non- contrasted brain computed tomography (CT) was concerning for right transverse sinus and superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed early signs of cortical edema and venous infarction and findings concerning for right mastoiditis. Intracranial venous MRI showed complete thrombosis of the right transverse and sigmoid sinus, superior sagittal sinus, and most of the superior draining cortical veins. Heparin drip was started. Initial empiric antibiotics for mastoiditis were stopped. Hyper-coagulopathy work-up with beta- 2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies and phospholipid antibodies were negative. As there were no other inciting factors for CVT found and no history of positive COVID-19 test, a COVID-19 antibody immunoassay was obtained and returned positive. The patient did not have a history of COVID vaccination. She was discharged on warfarin and enoxaparin. Anticoagulation was stopped after 6 months with repeat imaging showing resolution of clot burden. DISCUSSION: Usual risk factors associated with CVT are morbid obesity, hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptive use, hereditary thrombophilia, and pregnancy. Literature on CVT related to COVID-19 is limited. In 41 documented cases, the average age of incidence is 50 years old and median onset of neurological symptoms from initial COVID-19 diagnosis is 7 days [0 to 21 days]. Our patient's neurological symptoms began about 3 months after her initial diagnosis, potentially making it the first known case of COVID-19 associated CVT with symptom onset past 21 days. Anticoagulation is the mainstay treatment for CVT, and duration depends on the presence of provoking factor. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with new neurologic symptoms and recent diagnosis of COVID-19, CVT should be considered in the differential diagnosis as it can initially present in a subtle manner. Early recognition could improve patient morbidity and mortality. Reference #1: Abdalkader, M., Shaikh, S. P., Siegler, J. E., Cervantes-Arslanian, A. M., Tiu, C., Radu, R. A., Tiu, V. E., Jillella, D. v., Mansour, O. Y., Vera, V., Chamorro, Á., Blasco, J., López, A., Farooqui, M., Thau, L., Smith, A., Gutierrez, S. O., Nguyen, T. N., Jovin, T. G. (2021). Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter Study and Review of Literature. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.105733 Reference #2: Idiculla, P. S., Gurala, D., Palanisamy, M., Vijayakumar, R., Dhandapani, S., Nagarajan, E. (2020). Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Comprehensive Review. European Neurology (Vol. 83, Issue 4). https://doi.org/10.1159/000509802 Reference #3: Ostovan VR, Foroughi R, Rostami M, et al. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19: a case series and literature review. Journal of Neurology. 2021 Oct;268(10):3549-3560. DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10450-8. PMID: 33616740;PMCID: PMC7897893. DI CLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Shu Xian Lee No relevant relationships by Arif Sarwari No relevant relationships by Benita Wu

The pattern of mental health consultations at a metropolitan university general practice clinic in Sydney before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created social and medical disruptions to the Australian community. The introduction of telehealth Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers in early March 2020 has shifted mental health consultations from face-to-face to telehealth. There is a literature gap pertaining to the ongoing trends that extend past the initial 'first wave' of the pandemic in the context of an Australian landscape. Aim/Objective: To describe the pattern of mental health care consultations in a university-based general practice in Sydney, specifically, the distribution of face-to-face, telephone and tele-video consultations, according to the change in socio-political landscape and lockdowns. The secondary aim is to explore the effect of age, ethnicity, birth sex and student status, and the severity of patient symptoms via K10/DASS21 scores. Method(s): Retrospective data will be obtained from records of 456 patients attending a university-based general practice in Sydney, Australia between four different 35-day time periods: baseline pre- COVID-19 (1st February 2019 to 8th March 2019);first COVID-19 lockdown (31st March 2020 to 5th May 2020);second COVID-19 lockdown (20th August 2021 to 24th September 2021);post COVID-19 lockdown (1st February 2022 to 8th March 2022). Attendances will be defined by mental health MBS codes that correspond to mental health consultations, mental health care plans, and mental health care plan reviews, for face-to-face, telephone and tele-video consultations. K10/DASS21 scores will also be obtained. Statistical analysis will be performed using the two-sample t-test on SPSS. Finding(s): Data analysis is currently in progress. Results will be available by July 2022. Implications: Given the recent temporary telehealth extension announced by the Australian Government on 16th January 2022, the findings of our study will illustrate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health consultations in various subgroups and provide additional data for policymakers to facilitate further examination in continuing MBS subsidisation.

Research on the Feedback Mechanism of Mobile and Digitized English Teaching in College during COVID-19

Object: this research aims to organize, evaluate, improve and supervise college students' comprehensive English ability and learning autonomy through mobile and digital learning activities and management. Method: this research applied Task-based English Teaching and Itest System to improve students' learning autonomy and English ability by launching exercise tasks of 4 different English skills every weekday, such as writing, translation, reading and listening. Various learning data was recorded by Itest System everyday as an accordance for guiding and supervising students learning activity, and a means of the mobilization and digitization of the task, feedback and incentive mechanisms. Result:the pass rate of the exercises launched by Itest system is high at the beginning and ending of a semester and every Monday, while it's pretty low in the mid-term of a semester and every Friday. Moreover, the improvement effect of the 4 different English skills is different, and the progress of the 952 students' listening and translation is more obvious. Conclusion: the educational mechanism in this research is effective in improving the English translation and listening skills of the freshmen in college. Digitized management can clarify blind areas in students' learning activities, and locate students' problems and problematic students. Mobile English teaching can minimize close contact, but its disciplinary constriction to a few students needs the assistance of college counselor. Students' learning autonomy is low at the mid-term of a semester and on every Friday, which requires more management force. © 2022 ACM.

Social Identities Mediate the Relationship Between Isolation, Life Transitions, and Loneliness

Research has demonstrated that life transitions lead to heightened experiences of loneliness, in part because they engender isolation. We tested whether the degree of isolation during a transition influences loneliness, and if this is due to their effects on social identity processes. Employing an experimental paradigm, Study 1 (N = 213) found that when the transition involved isolation from new networks, in this case studying at university online as opposed to in person, it led to more loneliness, and this was mediated through reduced social identification and continuity of group memberships. Study 2 (N = 215) replicated these effects using a different experimental paradigm in which the transition involved isolation from old group memberships, namely moving to a new neighbourhood from interstate. Study 3 (N = 2346) employed a quasi-experimental repeated-measures design to assess the impact of a highly isolating life transition on loneliness-COVID lockdown. Australians in prolonged lockdown experienced increases in loneliness and this was mediated through (lack of) continuity of group memberships. Overall, these results suggest that isolation needs to be considered when assessing the impact of life transitions on loneliness. Moreover, the mediation results indicate that isolating transitions may be responsible for loneliness because these make it difficult to maintain crucial group memberships and form a sense of identification with relevant new groups.