ABSTRACT
ZigBee technology is preferably been used for health monitoring as it consumes very less power, high reliability, and low expenses. In this paper, mobile-based medical alert system for COVID-19 detection system using ZigBee technology is proposed. The health report of the user will be sent to the caretaker or doctor via cloud computing network so that they can analyze the problem. The real-time monitoring of health temperature and symptoms of COVID-19 and data transmission via remote sensing is also realized. © 2022 Scrivener Publishing LLC.
ABSTRACT
The recent outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed serious threats and challenges to global supply chain management (GSCM). To survive the crisis, it is critical to rethink the proper setting of global supply chains and reform many related operational strategies. We hence attempt to reform the GSCM from both supply and demand sides considering different pandemic stages (i.e., pre, during, and post-pandemic stages). In this research paper, we combine a careful literature review with real-world case studies to examine the impacts and specific challenges brought by the pandemic to global supply chains. We first classify the related literature from the demand and supply sides. Based on the insights obtained, we search publicly available information and report real practices of GSCM under COVID-19 in nine top global enterprises. To achieve responsiveness, resilience, and restoration (3Rs), we then propose the "GREAT-3Rs" framework, which shows the critical issues and measures for reforming GSCM under the three pandemic stages. In particular, the "GREAT" part of the framework includes five critical domains, namely, "government proactive policies and measures," "redesigning global supply chains," "economic and financing strategies under risk," "adjustment of operations," and "technology adoption," to help global enterprises to survive the pandemic;"3Rs" are the outputs that can be achieved after using the "GREAT" strategies under the three pandemic stages. Finally, we establish a future research agenda from five aspects.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to face-to-face activities being developed in a virtual format that often offers a poor experience in areas such as education. Virtual Learning Environments have improved in recent years thanks to new technologies such as Virtual Reality or Chatbots. However, creating Virtual Learning Environments requires advanced programming knowledge, so this work is aimed to enable teachers to create these new environments easily. This work presents a set of extensions for App Inventor that facilitate the authoring of mobile learning apps that use Chatbots in a Virtual Reality environment, while simultaneously monitoring of student activity. This proposal is based on integrating block-based languages and Business Process Model and Notation diagrams. The developed extensions were successfully implemented in an educational app called Let's date!. A quantitative analysis of the use of these extensions in App Inventor was also carried out, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of blocks required. The proposed contribution has demonstrated its validity in creating virtual learning environments through visual programming and modelling, reducing development complexity.
ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with RMDs are not yet used to live phisical activity such as an important part of their therapy;Covid 19 pandemic, with the restrictions imposed on interpersonal approaches and the the fear of being infected and spreading the virus, has further slowed down the way towards these kind of empowerment. During the pandemic, in Italy the number of pets (mainly dogs) had an exponen-cial increase. Animal Assisted Interventions/Animal Assisted Therapies seems to be really successful. Objectives: Our project aims: to offer people with RMDs the opportunity to move playing ftwalking under control of WALKin trainers who can teach them the right way to practice this new discipline or simply walking properly with their dogs or playng rehabilitative exercises (specifc for each one) with the help of animals specially trained. a number of meetings (at least 12) in which experts will discuss about RMDs, comorbidities, nature, animals, man-animal relationship adn so on. Methods: Thanks to an agreement with a natural park (UNESCO MAB Collina Po reserve), we could draw 4 different routes (3-4-5-7 Km) and a safe area in which all the participants can play different activities. Based on the medical prescription, people will be assigned to different groups (no more than 7 people in each group) and to different activities (walking, rehabilitative exercises, alone or with animals). Twice a week during an hour the groups will meet and practice their activity, not only working together, but also sharing experiences, sesations, feeling. Each group will be lead by an expert (walking trainers, health pofessionals, teamsters). Either each group leader or each participant will wright a diary at the end of the activity session, to let us have a number of encoded informations which drive us to verify all progresses in term of improvement of mobility and mood and reduction of drugs cosumption. Results: The participation (face to face and virtual) in the frst three meetings (October, November 2021 and January 2022 has been continuously increasing and we have a good core of 'fans', but also every time a lot of new people who want to join us. We are collecting the frst inscriptions and we preview to start the activity on March 20 when the frst goups will be leaded by Maurizio Damilano, twice world and Olympic running champion and inventor of ftwalking. First preliminary results will be available in December 2022. Conclusion: With this project we hope to help people with RMDs to live physical activity as an important part of their therapeutic pathway and to rediscover how nice it is to be together, fnding new friends (either humans or animals).
ABSTRACT
Social isolation and home quarantining have been standard procedures around the world, since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) sickness pandemic. Due to the spread of the COVID-19 disease, patients' remote monitoring becomes even more important in this situation. There are two reasons for this: (i) They must be kept alive and their symptoms under control;(ii) they must not leave the quarantined region throughout the quarantine time. This work presents a low-cost method for sensing patients' the physiological characteristics and displaying them on an Android- based mobile application. The Arduino UNO, a DHT11 Humidity Temperature Sensor sensor device, and HC-05 Bluetooth module were carried out to make up the system. A sensor was included in the system to capture the physiological health parameters of patients automatically. As a result, the patients can be remotely observed using the suggested method from a safe distance, avoiding direct contact and adhering to social distancing procedures. It was developed using free available online platform for developing mobile application is MIT inventor-2. Thus, even at the most difficult stage of the COVID-19 epidemic, increased health and a comfortable lifestyle can be accomplished. © 2022 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19, a pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus, has been spreading over the world for a long time. COVID-19 has had an impact on practically every aspect of development. The healthcare system is in a state of emergency. Wearing a mask is one of the most preventative steps adopted to minimize the spread of this disease. In this study, we suggest a technique for limiting COVID-19 expansion by identifying those who break the rules. People who don't maintain social distance and wear face masks are targeted by the system. The technique also inhibits large-scale social gatherings by alerting higher authorities. Furthermore, this technology can detect any malpractices or emergencies, such as medical issues. As a result, suitable actions are taken in accordance with the circumstance. Photos of people who break the COVID-19 Protocols are uploaded to Google Drive, which is linked to an android app and a website. Authorities can use the registered account to keep tabs on those who are breaking the rules and prevent the spread of sickness. © 2021 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Cancer patients are at increased risk for critical illness upon COVID-19. We assessed antibody and T cell responses in unexposed and SARS-CoV-2 convalescent cancer patients to characterize SARS-CoV-2 immunity and to identify immunological parameters contributing to increased morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 cancer patients. Immune responses were assessed in unexposed (n = 199) and SARS-CoV-2-infected cancer patients (n = 17), comprising different hematological malignancies (HM) and solid tumor entities. T cell responses were assessed by IFN-g ELISPOT using previously defined cross-reactive and SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell epitopes (Nelde et al., Nat Immunol 2021). SARS-CoV-2 convalescents without cancer (n = 193) and unexposed healthy volunteers (HV, n = 94) served as reference groups. Whereas pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactive CD4+ T cell responses were detectable in a high proportion of HV (78%) and solid tumor patients (77%), frequency was substantially lower in unexposed HM patients (34%). Concordantly, HM patients showed significantly higher proportions of CD4+ T cells expressing PD-1, LAG-3 and TIM-3, indicating T cell exhaustion as a potential underlying cause for the reduced T cell reactivity. In SARS-CoV-2 convalescents, no difference in antibody positivity was noted between cancer patients and HV. T cell response analyses showed comparable recognition frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific HLA class I and HLA-DR epitopes in both groups, whereas the frequency of HLA-DR cross-reactive T cell responses was significantly reduced in cancer patients. Again, this was attributable to a markedly reduced frequency of cross-reactive CD4+ T cell responses in HM patients. Analysis of T cell responses to single HLA-DR peptides (n = 20) after 12-day in vitro expansion further revealed reduced T cell expandability for 73% of SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides in COVID-19 cancer patients. Moreover, diversity of SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses (i.e. recognition of multiple different T cell epitopes) was significantly reduced in COVID-19 HM patients (20% recognized peptides) compared to solid tumor patients (35%) and HV (50%), and reduced T cell diversity was associated with a more severe course of COVID-19. In summary, our results identify impaired SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity as a determinant for poor outcome of COVID-19 in cancer patients, particularly in HM. These findings guide the development of therapeutic measures and vaccines for this vulnerable patient population. Disclosure: Malte Roerden: No conflict of interest disclosed. Juliane S. Walz: Honoraria: Juliane S. Walz is listed as inventor for patents on peptides described in the research.;Expert Testimony: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Wilhelm Sander Stiftung, José Carreras Leukämie-Stiftung, Fortüne-Programm der Universität Tübingen.
ABSTRACT
Introduction The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 infection in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have been reported in multiple retrospective cohorts of patients, but there have been no prospective studies to date. Previous studies report that HSCT recipients are at higher risk, with cumulative incidence of death between 17-35%. Although an excessive pro-inflammatory viral response has been documented in the general population, its role in the immune incompetent HSCT setting has not been documented. We present a combined prospective and retrospective national study run through the UK IMPACT trial network to characterize the clinical and immunological features of COVID-19 infection in 96 adult and pediatric recipients of HSCT in the United Kingdom. Methods HSCT recipients of any age and transplanted for any indication, with an RT-PCR-proven COVID-19 infection, were eligible for this study. Patients within 72 hours of COVID-19 diagnosis, who had not received cytokine-targeted treatment, were recruited to a prospective cohort. All other patients were eligible for a retrospective cohort. Prospective patients provided blood samples within 72 hours of COVID-19 diagnosis, and again within 72 hours of clinical deterioration (defined as requirement for oxygen administration) if applicable. Follow-up data were collected on patients 30 and 100 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. Results 100 patients were recruited from 16 sites across the UK between May 2020-June 2021, comprising 12 in a prospective cohort and 88 recruited retrospectively. 96 patients were evaluable, as 4 proved ineligible post-registration. Patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a median of 11 months after HSCT. Patient/HSCT characteristics are shown Table 1. The most common symptoms associated with the onset of COVID-19 were fever in 8 prospective (73%) and 35 (41%) retrospective patients, followed by cough in 5 (45%) prospective and 35 (41%) retrospective patients and dyspnea in 4 (36%) prospective and 16 (19%) retrospective patients. 8 (73%) prospective and 40 (47%) retrospective patients were actively immunosuppressed at the time of COVID-19 infection. 16% of the patients had moderate/severe disease at baseline. At day 30 (±2 days) after COVID-19 diagnosis, 2 prospective and 8 retrospective patients continued to demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 positivity on respiratory PCR testing. The median time to viral clearance was 40 (IQR 17-78) days for the prospective and 34 (IQR 15-70) days for the retrospective cohort. Prolonged (more than 14 days) neutropenia was reported in 4 (5%) patients in the retrospective cohort, prolonged thrombocytopenia in 2 (18%) prospective and 11 (13%) retrospective patients. 1 retrospective patient developed secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and graft rejection was reported in 1 (1%) retrospective patient, within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. In the prospective cohort, 3 (27%) patients died, all by day 30, and all due to COVID-19. In the retrospective cohort, 13 (17%) patients died by day 30, rising to 18 (21%) by day 100, 61% of deaths were attributed to COVID-19. Lower baseline platelets (p=0.013, Mann-Whitney U test), lymphocytes (p=0.012), albumin (p=0.028), and higher baseline CRP (p=0.007), were seen in patients who died following COVID-19 diagnosis. Additionally, exploratory univariate logistic regression of the retrospective cohort found mortality at day 100 to be associated with increased age at diagnosis (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, p=0.04), and no requirement compared with requirement for invasive ventilation (OR 0.02, 95% CI 0.00-0.16, p=0.001). The 11 prospective patients showed normal levels of interleukin (IL)-2, -4, -10, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha at COVID-19 presentation. IL-6 was minimally raised (up to 127 pg/ml, nv<50) in 3/11 pts at presentation. Respiratory deterioration was not associated with detectable cytokine storm. Conclusion Our study confirms a significant mortality rate in patients affected by COVID-19 post HSCT and confirms age as well s requirement for invasive ventilation to be independent risk factors associated with death at day 100. Baseline laboratory data at disease presentation can identify patients at higher risk of COVID-19 related death. In the prospective cohort of our study, pathophysiology of the viral disease did not seem related to cytokine storm-mediated inflammation. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Protheroe: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria;Astellas: Honoraria;Kite Gilead: Honoraria. Peggs: Autolus: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Craddock: Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Other: Advisory Board;Celgene/BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Nicholson: BMS/Celgene: Consultancy;Kite, a Gilead Company: Other: Conference fees, Speakers Bureau;Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Conference fees;Pfizer: Consultancy. Amrolia: ADC Therapeutics: Other: Named inventor on a patent which is being transferred to ADCT.;Autolus: Patents & Royalties.
ABSTRACT
Because of the heath measures taken during the outbreak of Covid-19, the lack of educational methods has become the primary concern among educational professionals who have been using technology as a motivational tool. Gamification is very important because it helps students to represent their study contents and enrich their experiences of higher education when learning in-person is unavailable during the Covid-19 period. This study seeks to present an Android-based gamification app to evaluate the effect of using gamification and e-quizzes on college students' learning. We used the visual blocks language from the MIT App Inventor platform to develop an application, available at (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appinventor.ai_mekomerofofo.projectGamification). The participants were students from level 2 who used digital lessons for learning MATLAB. The study included gamified learning and non-gamified learning, both integrated into lesson plans, to investigate the differences in learners' performance. Two types of quizzes were used for instruction: gamified e-quizzes and paper-based quizzes. The outcomes plainly showed that using the new gamified e-quiz was more effective than using paper-based quizzes. They are better for assessing the learning performance of the students in question, specifically in terms of formative assessment. It is very important for instructors to apply games as a modern and innovation-oriented tool through which students can be engaged in an attractive, competitive experience.