Learning with Mobile Augmented Reality- and Automatic Speech Recognition-Based Materials for English Listening and Speaking Skills: Effectiveness and Perceptions of Non-English Major English as a Foreign Language Students

Due to the outbreak of COVID 19, an online bilingual curriculum was conducted via "Google Meet." The learning material was developed and implemented by using a smartphone application, STEMUP, based on augmented reality (AR) and automatic speech recognition (ASR) technologies. This study investigated the oral performance and perceptions of learning with STEMUP of ninety non-English major students from several colleges at a technical university in Taiwan. Data were collected from pre- and post-tests and a questionnaire survey. Results indicated that students significantly improved their oral performance and recorded their positive perceptions. Students' oral performance significantly depended on their English proficiency. Their perceptions were not significant related to their English proficiency, gender, or college. Instant feedback and evaluation provided by ASR technology and online "Google" text-to-speech service both embedded in STEMUP helped students notice, modify and improve their listening and speaking skills. They were satisfied with the bilingual curriculum, which helped them increase understanding about content knowledge by the teacher's explanation in Chinese, and improve English listening and speaking skills by learning with STEMUP. This study is a good start in creating an interactive and communicative learning environment where translanguaging is effectively integrated with innovative technologies.

Hand Surgical Simulation in the Pandemic Era: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and duty hour restrictions have illuminated a role for surgical simulation in trainees that permits meaningful technical experience outside the operating room. There is a need for the implementation of surgical simulation infrastructure adjacent to clinical training with practical considerations for complexity and cost. This systematic review analyzes surgical simulations that train hand surgical techniques and procedures with subjective or objective competency assessment. Method(s): A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA- P guidelines using the PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Selected search terms included procedures relevant to the field of hand surgery and various types of simulation training. Data, including skills and techniques taught and assessed, model type, equipment, cost, and emphasis placed in training for each article, were extracted. Result(s): Of 2,519 articles, 40 met inclusion criteria. Models were described as: synthetic benchtop/3D-printed (40.0%), animal (22.5%), cadaveric (20.0%), augmented and virtual reality (AR/ VR;12.5%), and other computer simulation (12.5%). Three models incorporated both a physical benchtop component and an AR/ VR component. The procedures most represented included tendon repair (30.0%), fracture fixation (27.5%), wrist arthroscopy (15.0%), and carpal tunnel release (15.0%). Sixty-five percent of articles emphasized the importance of surgical simulation in a surgeon's training. Conclusion(s): A diversity of surgical simulation models exist for the practice of various aspects of hand surgery. The existing literature demonstrates their utility for increasing expertise with surgical techniques and procedures in a low-risk setting.

Innovative Digital Practices and Globalization in Higher Education. Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development (AHEPD) Book Series

We are moving toward a future in which digital practices are becoming more ubiquitous. Also, there is evidence to suggest that innovative digital practices are changing the face of 21st-century learning environments. Critical to 21st-century teaching and learning success is continued emphasis on learner preferences, shaped by innovative digital technology-driven learning environments alongside teacher awareness, knowledge, and preparedness to deliver high-impact instruction using active learning pedagogies. Thus, the purposeful and selective use of digital learning tools in higher education and the incorporation of appropriate active learning pedagogies are pivotal to enhancing and supporting meaningful student learning. "Innovative Digital Practices and Globalization in Higher Education" explores innovative digital practices to enhance academic performance for digital learners and prepare qualified graduates who are competent to work in an increasingly global digital workplace. Global competence has become an essential part of higher education and professional development. As such, it is the responsibility of higher education institutions to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to compete in the digital and global market. Covering topics such as design thinking, international students, and digital teaching innovation, this premier reference source is an essential resource for pre-service and in-service teachers, educational technologists, instructional designers, faculty, administrators, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Evaluation of the main parameters of the compartmental model of the epidemic development based on the example of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chernivtsi region

The paper considers the application of the theoretical model of epidemiological development of COVID-19 disease among the regional population based on the statistical data in Chernivtsi region of Ukraine for the period from March 2020 to June 2021. Using these data, a mathematical assessment of the values of the main parameters of the compartmental model (SIR) beta and gamma was performed and the analysis of the relationship between the values of beta and gamma and antiepidemiological measures was carried out for the region. Determining the parameters beta and gamma based on available statistics allows us to predict the duration of precautionary measures such as quarantine, lockdown, border closure and predict the effectiveness of their implementation as well. The analysis of statistical data showed the moderate effectiveness of quarantine and lockdown in changing the daily rates of infected and recovered people, while the dynamics of the epidemic development during these periods changed from negative to positive. The introduction of vaccination has shown the significant reduction in the daily rate of infected people and the substantial increase in the daily rate of the recovered people.

Simulation of pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction and dosage regimens optimization of nelfinavir and cepharanthine as a potential combination against COVID-19

The pharmacokinetic (PK) drug-drug interactions (DDIs) of nelfinavir and cepharanthine combination is limited information in human. In addition, the dosage regimen of this combination is not available for COVID-19 treatment. The objective of this study was to perform in silico simulations using GastroPlusTM software to predict physicochemical properties, PK parameters using the physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of healthy adults in different dosage regimens. The DDIs analysis of nelfinavir and cepharanthine combination was carried out to optimize the dosage regimens as a potential against COVID-19. The Spatial Data File (SDF) format of nelfinavir and cepharanthine structures obtained from PubChem database were used to carry out in silico predictions for physicochemical properties and PK parameters using several aspects of modules such as ADMET Predictor, Metabolism and Transporter, PBPK model. Subsequently, all data were utilized in the DDIs simulations. The dynamic simulation feature was selected to calculate and investigate the Cmax, AUC0-120, AUC0-inf, Cmax ratio, AUC0-120 ratio, and AUC0-inf ratio. The victim or nelfinavir dosage regimens were used four oral administration regimens of 500 mg and 750 mg in every 8 and 12 hours for simulations. The perpetrator or cepharanthine oral dosage regimens were used in several regimens from 10 mg to 120 mg in every 8, 12, and 24 hours. From all predicted results, the dosage regimen as a potential combination against COVID-19 was nelfinavir 500 mg every 8 hours and cepharanthine 10 mg every 12 hours.Copyright © 2023 by Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Thailand is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

Are Non-Structural Proteins From SARS-CoV-2 the Target of Hydroxychloroquine? An in Silico Study

COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 which has structural and non-structural proteins (NSP) essential for infection and viral replication. There is a possible binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the beta-1 chain of hemoglobin in red blood cells and thus, decreasing the oxygen transport capacity. Since hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) can accumulate in red cells, there is a chance of interaction of this drug with the virus. To analyze possible interactions between SARS-CoV-2 NSP and hemoglobin with the HCQ using molecular docking and implications for the infected host. This research consisted of a study using bioinformatics tools. The files of the protein structures and HCQ were prepared using the AutoDock Tools software. These files were used to perform molecular docking simulations by AutoDock Vina. The binding affinity report of the generated conformers was analyzed using PyMol software, as well as the chemical bonds formed. The results showed that HCQ is capable of interacting with both SARS-CoV-2 NSP and human hemoglobin. The HCQ/NSP3 conformer, HCQ/NSP5, HCQ/NSP7-NSP8-NSP12, HCQ/NSP9, HCQ/NSP10-NSP16 showed binding affinity. In addition, the interaction between HCQ and hemoglobin resulted in polar bonds. Interaction between SARS-CoV-2 NSP and HCQ indicates that this drug possibly acts by preventing the continuity of infection.Copyright © 2023 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

[A structural method to assess the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in school environmentsMétodo estructural para examinar el curso de la pandemia por el SARS-CoV-2 en ambientes escolares]. / Método estrutural para aferir o curso pandêmico do SARS-CoV-2 em ambientes escolares.

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed several dilemmas for managers in the public sector, with school reopening being among the most complex decisions. The present article presents a microsimulation model of the pandemic course considering various scenarios within the confines of a classroom in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. For that, a susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) model was integrated with a random graph model, associating epidemiological characteristics with sociometric and sociodemographic factors. Social contact rates projected for Brazil in the European POLYMOD project were adapted for the city of Belo Horizonte to simulate the number of contacts among individuals considering a Poisson distribution. The simulation used as reference a group of 20 students and their families. The projected scenarios discriminated three age groups with their respective rate of daily social contacts: 0 to 5 years (0.01), 6 a 14 years (1.80), and 15 to 19 years (0.20). The simulations showed clear differences between these age groups, depending on the initial number of infected individuals and on the use or not of face masks in the school. The results confirm that the absence of adequate mitigation measures entails a considerable increase in transmission in the school setting.

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha creado una serie de dilemas para los administradores públicos, que ha hecho de la reapertura de las escuelas una de las decisiones más complejas. En el presente artículo se presenta una microsimulación del curso de la pandemia, en la cual se analizan varias situaciones hipotéticas dentro de los límites de un salón de clases en la ciudad de Belo Horizonte (Brasil). Se utilizó un modelo de personassusceptibles, infectadas y recuperadas (SIR) integrado a un modelo de gráficos aleatorios, dentro del cual se asociaron lascaracterísticas epidemiológicas a factores sociométricos y sociodemográficos. Se utilizaron las tasas de contactos sociales previstas para Brasil por el proyecto europeo POLYMOD y adaptadas a la ciudad de Belo Horizonte con el fin de simular el número de contactos entre las personas con una distribución de Poisson. Para la simulación se tomó como referencia un grupo de 20 alumnos y sus familias. En las situaciones hipotéticas proyectadas se distinguieron tres grupos etarios con sus respectivas tasas diarias de contactos sociales: de 0 a 5 años (0,01), de 6 a 14 años (1,80) y de 15 a 19 años (0,20). Las simulaciones demostraron que hay claras diferencias en los grupos etarios analizados, según el número inicial de personas infectadas y el uso o la falta de uso de mascarilla en el ambiente escolar. Los resultados confirman que la falta de medidas adecuadas de mitigación eleva de forma considerable el riesgo de contagio en la comunidad escolar.

Impact of air transportation on the spread of Covid-19 between countries based on system dynamics

For the spread COVID-19 between countries through air transportation, the influencing factors are analyzed, a system dynamics model which passes the validity test is established. Then, three key indicators, Basic Reproduction Rate, Initial Infection Individuals and Transfer Rate, are selected as independent variables to analyze the system changes through computer simulation. Based on the analysis, the infectivity of COVID-19 and the number of people transferred by air transportation are important factors affecting the import of epidemics for non-epidemic countries, and the sooner or later control of infectious diseases by epidemic countries has little effect on non-epidemic countries.

Modeling and Analysis of Infectious Disease Transmission Considering Protection and Isolation.

Based on the SEIR model, two compartments for self-protection and isolation are introduced, and a more general infectious disease transmission model is proposed. Through qualitative analysis of the model, the basic reproduction number of the model is calculated, and the local asymptotic stability of the disease-free equilibrium point and the endemic equilibrium point of the model is analyzed through eigenvalue theory and Routh-Hurwitz criterion. The numerical simulation and fitting results of COVID-19 virus show that the proposed SEIQRP model can effectively describe the dynamic transmission process of the infectious disease. In the model, the three parameters, i. e. protection rate, incubation period isolation rate, and infected person isolation rate play a very critical role in the spread of the disease. Raising people' s awareness of self-protection, focusing on screening for patients in the incubation period, and isolating and treating infected people can effectively reduce the spread of infectious diseases. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] 基于 SEIR 模型, 引入自我防护和隔离两个仓室, 提出一个更加通用的传染病传播模型. 通过对 模型进行定性分析, 计算模型的基本再生数, 通过特征值理论和 Routh - Hurwitz 判据, 分析模型的无病平衡 点和地方病平衡点的局部渐近稳定性. 数值模拟和 COVID - 19 病毒真实数据拟合结果表明, 所提出的 SEIQRP 模型能够有效地描述传染病的动态传播过程. 模型中防护率、潜伏期隔离率和感染者隔离率这三个 参数对疾病的传播起着非常关键的作用. 提高人们加强自我防护意识、重点排查潜伏期患者和对感染者进行 隔离治疗可以有效降低传染病的传播. (Chinese) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Northeastern University (Natural Science) is the property of Dongbei Daxue Xuebao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Implementation of a clinical decision support system using virtual reality for psychiatric technician: A feasibility and acceptability project

Background Significance: A shortage of clinical sites has made it difficult for the psychiatric technician (PT) to practice skills, such as therapeutic communication. Therapeutic communication is an important component of the PT curriculum. The development of virtual reality (VR) software has the potential to enhance communication skills, addressing students' self-efficacy when communicating with patients suffering from mental illness. Problem: A lack of available clinical sites and COVID-19 has made it challenging for students to obtain hands-on performance skills, including their ability to develop the skill of therapeutic communication, and complete their training and certification. PT students are required to develop skills to assess the status of a patient's mental state and appropriately interact with their clients. Traditionally, this has been accomplished via on-site clinical experiences at health care sites. Methods: This was a feasibility and acceptability project using post-implementation surveys. The Simulation Evaluation Tool-Modified (SET-M) evaluates how well simulation met student learning outcomes, communication skills, and self-perception on ability to communicate. The System Usability Scale (SUS) evaluates the usability of the VR simulation technology. Interventions: A VR scenario featuring a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was designed, and developed. The platform allowed the student to make critical decisions through the given scenario. Development of the scenario was guided by the "INACSL Standards of Best Practice" of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) and the "Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder" of the Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA). Content for the scenario was approved by content experts for validity. Training on the use of the VR platform was provided for faculty and PT students prior to completing the VR scenario. Evaluation: Data were analyzed to determine if the project aims were achieved. The aims of this project were to: (a) develop a 3D immersive clinical decision scenario using VR platform;(b) assess acceptance of the new technology;and (c) measure communication skills in a 3D VR environment. Results: The results of this project suggested that most students (84%) agreed that the VR software was easy to use. Ninety-six percent of students felt more confident in clinical decision and communication skills with the PTSD patient. The implementation of the VR was feasible and acceptable to students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Motor Coordination and Its Importance in Practicing Performance Movement

The training of good motor coordination optimizes the motor skills, and these, over time, lead to the improvement of the motor skills specific to the practiced movement. The purpose of this study was to assess the capacity and speed of learning coordinated movements in the context of working in an online system. At the same time, we set out to evaluate the level of motor coordination achieved through training using the eLearning platform Hudl and the Teaching Games for Understanding approach. Thus, three groups of students were analyzed whose motor histories were different. The analysis of the three tested groups was performed in the first year of study and in the third year of study. The training programs have been adjusted/modified according to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, which has determined their application in the online system as well. The results of this study confirm that by assisting learning through computer programs, in the online system, these workouts can be effective. At the same time, the study shows us that, in addition to the natural evolution from childhood and adolescence, an advanced form of motor coordination appears, which is installed through the action of learning. © 2023 by the authors.

Dft and Td-Dft Study of Triazavirin Drug Derivatives as Antiviral to Coronavirus Covid-19

A global health pandemic that began in December 2019 was the newSARS-CoV-19 coronavirus. The bioactivities of the heterocyclic drug triazavirin selected have been assessed in this study using computer modelling strategies as inhibitors and nucleotide analogs for COVID-19. Triazavirin is an antiviral drug that is synthesized with triazavirin (2-methylsulfanyl-6-nitro[1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-C][1,2,4]triazine-7(4H)-one, TZV). For potential requirements against the 2019-nCoV Coronavirus, TZV is being investigated. We have conducted a computerized study for the screening of effective Triazavirin (C 5H4N6O3S) available medication which can be inhibitors for the Mpro of 2019-nCoVin order to find candidate drugs for the 2019-nCoV period. In the present work, (DFT/TD-DFT/B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p)) calculations have been carried out first of all for the purposes of estimating the thermal parameters, dipole momentum, polarization, and molecular power of the drug currently in the gas stage of the molecular structure of the title molecules. The studied compound has also calculated and shown its molecular HOMO-LUMO, its excitation energy, and its oscillator strengths. DFT and TD-DFT studies have been conducted to interact the TZV compound with the Coronavirus. Thus, TZV can be applied for possible application against Coronavirus 2019-nCoV applications.

Telesimulation for COVID-19 Ventilator Management Training With Social-Distancing Restrictions During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Background. In early 2020, the novel coronavirus pandemic forced communities around the globe to shut down and isolate. Routine graduate medical education activities have also been suspended as resident and fellow physicians-in-training have been re-deployed to support critical patient care services.Innovation. We developed a two-part hybrid telesimulation model to teach COVID-19 ventilator management strategies while physically separating a group of learners and an instructor from one another. Learners consisted of non-ICU health care providers with limited experience in ventilator management being redeployed to manage ICU level COVID-19 infected patients. In the first week, the video tutorial has been viewed over 500 times and we have facilitated 14 telesimulation sessions, including 48 participants comprised of hospitalists, emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants, pediatric residents, nurses, and a nurse educator.Conclusion. We believe that the combination of a video tutorial followed by an interactive telesimulation was successful in providing timely education during a coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, it reinforced the value and flexibility in which simulation education could continue conveniently for learners despite significant restrictions in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Research is needed to assess the efficacy of this hybrid intervention in preparing healthcare workers and to determine if the knowledge is successfully transferred to the clinical setting.

Current understanding of the airborne transmission of important viral animal pathogens in spreading disease

Current research on airborne transmission of African swine fever virus (ASFV), porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV), avian influenza (AIV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) was reviewed to evaluate commonalities, knowledge gaps, and methodologies of studying airborne transmission of animal diseases. The reviewed studies were categorised as short-range transmission (within a single facility) and long-range transmission (beyond a single site). Short-range airborne transmission was demonstrated for at least one strain of the above-mentioned pathogens in experimental settings. Most studies reported in the literature concern FMDV, with limited information for ASFV and PEDV, particularly for short-range airborne transmission. Air sampling upwind, downwind, and within infected facilities has been commonly used to demonstrate long-range airborne transmission. The amount of evidence from air sampling for each of the reviewed viruses varies from no evidence on ASFV to evidence from multiple settings for AIV. Computer modelling has been used to study past outbreaks of infectious diseases to assess the contribution of airborne transmission with a multitude of computer models reported in the literature for simulating long-range airborne transmission of FMDV based on past outbreaks. This has resulted in predictive tools for assessing future risk of airborne transmission. Some important computer models are based on epidemiology analysis, weather analysis, and air dispersion. Few models are reported for ASFV, PEDV, and PRRSV. Studies in the literature indicate that airborne transmission is generally affected by virus strain, aerosol type, shedding duration and concentration, environmental conditions, and infectious dose.

Adapting to the COVID-19 World: A Case Study of Collective Learning in a Social Entrepreneurial Organisation

Purpose: This paper aims to examine how a social entrepreneurial organisation in Sweden collectively learned to adapt itself to the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: Using an abductive approach, this study conducted single case fieldwork on a social entrepreneurial organisation called SFE. The following research questions were asked: What are the changes in collective learning conditions that SFE has to face during the pandemic? What are the outcomes of collective learning during the pandemic in SFE? Findings: This study results indicate that collective learning conditions were changed by restructuring the organisation's design and teamwork during the pandemic, which facilitated sharing of knowledge and experiences. This collective learning helped the organisation develop new virtual projects during the pandemic. Another result of this collective learning was the members' new shared understanding of the organisation's vision. Research limitations/implications: This study hopes to broaden the understanding of the relationship between collective learning in organisations and organisational adaptation in times of crisis. Practical implications: This study can help leaders of social entrepreneurial organisations understand what changes are necessary to create a team that collectively learns. Originality/value: The data had the advantage of being gathered as a real-time process, and the researcher witnessed how the organisation achieved adaptation as it happened and not just through its members' reflection of it as a past phenomenon.

A survey study on the assessment of food handler's compliance to personal hygiene practices regulation in selected Malaysia food outlets

Food safety remains a major issue around the world particularly when the COVID-19 pandemic becomes the main issue nowadays. Food safety is essential to the human population worldwide because food is the primary energy source and nutrition for humans. Therefore, food handlers' personal hygiene is one of the factors that are necessary to maintain food safety. The purpose of this study was to assess the food handler's compliance with personal hygiene practices in randomly any food outlets across Malaysia including Kuching, Sarawak;Lawas, Sarawak;Johor Bahru, Johor;Kuala Penyu, Sabah, and Gurun, Kedah. A quantitative method, a cross-sectional descriptive study to one thousand and five (N = 1005) food handlers who participated in the questionnaire and observation checklist was developed by modifying questions in accordance with the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. Overall, the mean percentage of conformity in adhering to food handler attire was the highest observed at Gurun, Kedah and Kuala Penyu, Sabah with 86.96% and 80.79%, respectively, followed by Kuching, Sarawak with 77.5%, Johor Bahru with 76.71%, and Lawas, Sarawak with 74.93%. Personal hygiene practices conformity showed a high mean percentage with all districts scoring >91% higher than non-conformity. The food handlers also show less unhygienic behaviour while on duty and scored a mean percentage of > 92%. Although in that positive behaviour, some of the food handlers did not perform some unhygienic practices (<= 8 %). In conclusion, there is no significant difference (p-value > 0.05) in the level of conformity between the mean percentages among all districts. Thus, this issue shall raise a concern to the food industries in order to make sure their workers comply with the legal requirement and to avoid any food poisoning outbreak related to food hygiene and food safety in the future.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.

Czochralski (CZ) process modification with cooling tube in the response to market Global silicon shortage

Recently, the silicon wafer producers, affected by Covid-19 and USA-China competition, looks for new production processes to increase the production. On the other hand, the common parts of CZ puller such as heater, crucible and thermal shield are optimized over time and now the common CZ process is reached to limitation for further improvement. Here, we propose a modified CZ method by adding a cooling tube into the growth zone. The new proposed Cz method is applied to the 8″ crystal growth process. A fully 3D transition model including energy equation, Navier–Stokes equation, surface-to-surface radiation heat transfer, moving mesh and thermal stress equations is implemented. The simulation is performed for both original and new CZ method. It was proved that the new CZ method increases the pulling speed up to 25 %. To ensure about the crystal quality, the thermal stress is compared between original and new proposed CZ method. Although it was found that the thermal stress increases about twice but still the maximum von Mises stress never exceeds the critical value 25 MPa. Additionally, the power consumption is also found to enhance maximum 2 kW under new conditions. To evaluate the model the interface and heater power for the original CZ puller is compared with industrial CZ process and it shows acceptable accuracy. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

COVID-19 in Londrina-pr: SEIR model with parameter optimization. (Special Covid issue.)

The first cases of COVID-19 in Londrina-PR were manifested in March 2020 and the disease lasts until the present moment. We aim to inform citizens in a scientific way about how the disease spreads. The present work seeks to describe the behavior of the disease over time. We started from a compartmental model of ordinary differential equations like SEIR to find relevant information such as: transmission rates and prediction of the peak of infected people. We used the data released by city hall of Londrina to carry out simulations in periods of 14 days, applying a parameter optimization technique to obtain results with thegreatest possible credibility.

Avoiding the Worst Decisions: A Simulation and Experiment

Many practical decisions are more realistic concerning preventing bad decisions than seeking better ones. However, there has been no behavioral decision theory research on avoiding the worst decisions. This study is the first behavioral decision research on decision strategies from the perspective of avoiding the worst decisions. We conducted a computer simulation with the Mersenne Twister method and a psychological experiment using the monitoring information acquisition method for two-stage decision strategies of all combinations for different decision strategies: lexicographic, lexicographic semi-order, elimination by aspect, conjunctive, disjunctive, weighted additive, equally weighted additive, additive difference, and a majority of confirming dimensions. The rate of choosing the least expected utility value among the alternatives was computed as the rate of choosing the worst alternative in each condition. The results suggest that attention-based decision rules such as disjunctive strategy lead to a worse decision, and that striving to make the best choice can conversely often lead to the worst outcome. From the simulation and the experiment, we concluded that simple decision strategies such as considering what is most important can lead to avoiding the worst decisions. The findings of this study provide practical implications for decision support in emergency situations.

In silico screening of chalcones and their derivatives as potential inhibitors of spike proteins and ACE2 enzymes for SARS-CoV-2 treatment

The COVID-19 pandemic causing acute respiratory syndrome is a significant public health problem. Drugs that can treat this disease are currently a high priority. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human ACE2 enzyme receptor, which both play important roles in virus entry into the host cell, are promising therapeutic targets for inhibiting viral infection. This research evaluates the potential of chalcone compounds to inhibit the spike proteins and ACE2 enzymes through molecular docking in silico approaches. Based on the ChemFaces database, we collected 92 chalcone compounds. These compounds were further docked to target the active sites of spike protein and human ACE2. After comparing the binding energies of the 92 compounds to artemisinin, ribavirin, and lopinavir, which have inhibitory activity to these protein targets of SARS-CoV-2, we chose 20 out of the 92 compounds that had a higher ability to inhibit the protein targets than the reference inhibitors. Next, five phytochemical compounds with the best binding energy were selected, which included flavanomarein, sarcandrone B, sarcandrone A, calyxin H, and sieboldin. Then, Lipinski's 5 rule was used to evaluate the druglike properties of these compounds. Predictive ADME/tox filtering tests were also applied to the top docked compounds. The results suggest that sarcandrone B has good pharmacokinetic properties, which should be further explored as an anti-SARS-CoV-2. To confirm these findings, experimental studies are recommended.