Design of an authentic project-based learning course using project management approach

Using case studies, business simulations, seminars and lectures, and textbooks of relevance to the subject are helpful with learning and knowledge application. However, assisting students in the matter of practicing complex real-world projects management and solving actual problems are essential. Authentic project-based learning (APBL) is an active pedagogical approach that requires real clients, real users, and projects involving in the curriculum that demand real solutions provided by the learners. APBL has been shown to provide students with challenges that lead to greater motivation, higher levels of student performance, and retention rate across elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Therefore, as a means of enhancing student interest and motivation and compensating for the absence of direct face-to-face contact imposed on higher education by the Covid 19 pandemic, a marketing course was redesigned using APBL pedagogy and Project Management Body of Knowledge (R) Guide Project Management Institute). This paper presents and introduces how the APBL course was designed, implemented, and delivered in the fall semester of 2020. This paper also elaborates how students applied integrated brand promotion (IBP) strategies and project management skills to promote and deliver a new ballet production to audiences. Several important learning outcomes were realised, including maximising students' learning, increasing efficiency, and significantly minimising 'student syndrome' (procrastination). Future research and teaching opportunities with limitations of this project are provided at the end.

Association between Recent Antibiotic Use and Early Immunogenicity of Covid-19 Bnt162b2 Vaccine

Introduction: Gut microbiota have been shown to be associated with COVID- 19 and influenza vaccine immunogenicity. While antibiotic-induced gut microbiota perturbation leads to suboptimal antibody production among influenza vaccine recipients, little is known about the effect of preexposure antibiotics on COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity. Aims & Methods: We aimed to determine whether recent antibiotics use impaired COVID-19 immunogenicity. This was a prospective cohort study recruiting adult BNT162b2 recipients from five vaccination centers in Hong Kong. Exclusion criteria included prior COVID-19 infection, history of gastrointestinal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, immunocompromised status (post-organ transplantation, immunosuppressants, chemotherapy), cancer, hematological, rheumatological and autoimmune diseases. Subjects received two doses of BNT162b2 at three weeks apart. Blood samples were collected at three time-points (before vaccination, day 21 and 56after first dose), and were tested for neutralising antibody (NAb) against receptor-binding domain (RBD) of wild type SARS-CoV-2 virus using a one-step competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay. NAb seroconversion was defined as 15 AU/mL. Primary outcomes were seroconversion rates of NAb at day 21 and 56 after first dose of vaccine. Exposure was pre-vaccination antibiotic use, defined as ever use of any antibiotics (including 11 different classes) within 6 months before vaccination. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of seroconversion with antibiotic use was derived by multivariable logistic regression model by adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight (BMI >23 kg/m2for Asians), hypertension, raised LDL (>=3.4 mmol/L), moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis (defined as controlled attenuated parameter >= 268 dB/M on transient elastography), smoking and alcohol. Result(s): Of 316 BNT162b2 recipients (100 [31.6%] male;median age 50.1 [IQR:40.0-57.0] years), all and 284 (89.9%) had NAb level measured at day 21 and 56, respectively. There were 29 (9.2%) antibiotic users (median duration of use: 7 [IQR:7-13] days). There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between antibiotic users and non-users. At day 21, there was a trend towards lower seroconversion rate among antibiotic users compared with non-users (82.8% vs 91.3%;p=0.135). Independent factors negatively associated with seroconversion after one dose of BNT162b2 were antibiotics use (aOR:0.26, 95% CI:0.08-0.96), age >60 years (aOR:0.34, 95% CI:0.13-0.95) and male sex (aOR:0.14, 95% CI:0.05-0.34). At day 56, there was no more significant difference in seroconversion rate between antibiotic users and non-users (96.6% vs 99.3%;p=0.149). Conclusion(s): Recent antibiotic use before BNT162b2 vaccination was associated with lower early seroconversion rate after a single dose of vaccine but not two doses of vaccine. Further research on the association between antibiotics, gut microbiota and COVID-19 early vaccine immunogenicity is warranted.

Factors affecting stability and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: In late 2019, a novel human coronavirus - severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) - emerged in Wuhan, China. This virus has caused a global pandemic involving more than 200 countries. SARS-CoV-2 is highly adapted to humans and readily transmits from person-to-person. AIM: To investigate the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 under various environmental and pH conditions. The efficacies of various laboratory virus inactivation methods and home disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2 were investigated. METHODS: The residual virus in dried form or in solution was titrated on to Vero E6 cells on days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 after incubation at different temperatures. Viral viability was determined after treatment with various disinfectants and pH solutions at room temperature (20-25oC). FINDINGS: SARS-CoV-2 was able to retain viability for 3-5 days in dried form or 7 days in solution at room temperature. SARS-CoV-2 could be detected under a wide range of pH conditions from pH 4 to pH 11 for several days, and for 1-2 days in stool at room temperature but lost 5 logs of infectivity. A variety of commonly used disinfectants and laboratory inactivation procedures were found to reduce viral viability effectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental surfaces, and raises the possibility of faecal-oral transmission. Commonly used fixatives, nucleic acid extraction methods and heat inactivation were found to reduce viral infectivity significantly, which could ensure hospital and laboratory safety during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.