New ITU-T Study Group 5 Structure and Deliberations

The NTT Group is participating in the international standardization activities in the International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Group (SG) 5 to protect telecommunication facilities from electromagnetic interference and lightning surges, assess the impact of information and communication technologies on climate change, address the issue of a circular economy that enables sustainable development, and contribute to improving the reliability of telecommunication services and reducing the environmental impact of its business activities. In this article, we introduce the study structure of ITU-T SG5 for the new study period (2022–2024), which has finally started due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the latest discussion trends at the first meeting held in June 2022. © 2022 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.. All rights reserved.

Inclusive Study Group Formation at Scale

Underrepresented students face many significant challenges in their education. In particular, they often have a harder time than their peers from majority groups in building long-term high-quality study groups. This challenge is exacerbated in remote-learning scenarios, where students are unable to meet face-to-face and must rely on pre-existing networks for social support. We present a scalable system that removes structural obstacles faced by underrepresented students and supports all students in building inclusive and flexible study groups. One of our main goals is to make the traditionally informal and unstructured process of finding study groups for homework more equitable by providing a uniform but lightweight structure. We aim to provide students from underrepresented groups an experience that is similar in quality to that of students from majority groups. Our process is unique in that it allows students the opportunity to request group reassignments during the semester if they wish. Unlike other collaboration tools our system is not mandatory and does not use peer-evaluation. We trialed our approach in a 1000+ student introductory Engineering and Computer Science course that was conducted entirely online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that students from underrepresented backgrounds were more likely to ask for group-matching support compared to students from majority groups. At the same time, underrepresented students that we matched into study groups had group experiences that were comparable to students we matched from majority groups. B-range students in high-comfort and high-quality groups had improved learning outcomes. © 2023 Owner/Author.

Report on WTSA-20 (World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly)

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-20), which was scheduled to be held in 2020, was held locally and online in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 1 to 9, 2022. This article provides an overview of WTSA-20 and the main deliberations. © 2022 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of a sensory and cognitive online training tool for odor recognition in professional coffee tasters

The sense of smell plays an essential role in the sensory evaluation of coffee. However, a precise sensory evaluation also requires good memory and the ability to stay focused and concentrated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an online sensory and cognitive training program on the odor recognition of 36 coffee aromas. A total of 44 coffee professionals participated in a randomized crossover trial. It consisted of an online training program with different sensory and cognitive tasks over two periods of 6 weeks. The participants were divided into three study groups for data analysis purposes: a Control-first group (n = 16), a matching Intervention-first group (n = 16), and a second Intervention-first-residual group (n = 12) to check for repeatability of the test results. On average, the participants improved their odor recognition score by 15% after 6 weeks of training (p <.01) and maintained a high-performance level after the control period. A positive correlation between completed training and improvement was observed (p <.001). The participants significantly improved their ability to detect the 36 Le Nez du Café aromas commonly used in the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) exam systems. Practical Applications: The new online training program is a promising tool for improving the odor recognition of coffee professionals. The sensory training can easily be accomplished as it is executable off-site, is self-instructive, and does not require any supervision. A further generalization of this new odor-training program for noncoffee professionals may potentially train people with prolonged loss in olfactory function, such as observed in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Sensory Studies published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Imagistic lung findings using ArtificialIntelligence in SARS CoV2 hospitalized patients based on vaccinal status

The lung is one of the most affected organs by the novel virus and the imagistic exploration of the thorax such as CT scanning and X-Ray has had an important impact in assessing the severity of the disease. The study aims to investigate the presence of pulmonary lesions using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in SARS CoV2 hospitalised positive patients, based on vaccinal status from September 2021 - to January 2022. We conducted a cohort study in which we included 186 patients from which only 124 patients had their CT scans analyzed with the algorithm. In this study, we investigated the extension of lung lesions in SARS CoV2 positive patients based on their vaccinal status using an artificial intelligence algorithm. The majority of the study population was composed of males (57%), unvaccinated patients (84%) with comorbidities (79.03%). More than double unvaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated ones have been found to have more than 75% of the lungs affected. Patients in the age group 30-39 have had the most lung lesions with a mean of 69% of both lungs affected. Unvaccinated patients with comorbidities have had 5% more lung lesions than vaccinated patients with comorbidities. The interpretation time of a CT scan has been reduced by 50% using AI and in 85% of cases, the mathematical algorithm has had similar results to the ones provided by the radiologist. The study revealed a higher percentage of lung lesions among unvaccinated SARS CoV2 positive patients admitted to the hospital, underlining the importance of vaccination and also the importance of artificial intelligence in the management of a SARS CoV2 patient.

Experiential student study groups: perspectives on medical education in the post-COVID-19 period.

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate medical curricula often fail to integrate experiential learning methodologies. Thus, a pilot series of interactive pathology lessons was designed and implemented in an attempt to promote experiential learning. METHODS: Thirty pre-graduate medical students voluntarily participated in the interactive study groups at the First Department of Pathology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School. A questionnaire was designed to investigate the satisfaction of students regarding their participation in pathology study groups and to identify the characteristics that shape students' perceptions of the foundations of medical education. Descriptive statistics (mean values) were used to describe the students' evaluations of the pathology study groups, and thematic analysis was conducted to investigate the data collected using open-ended questions. RESULTS: Interactions with the professor and the option of co-observing the slides using dual-view optical microscopes and virtual slides were each evaluated as "Excellent" by ≅ 95% of the students. Four overarching themes were identified regarding the core characteristics of medical education according to the students' perspectives: 1) educational background in medical education, 2) interaction with educators in medical education, 3) educational material in medical education and 4) assessment in medical education. CONCLUSIONS: The high rates of acceptance of the pathology study groups reflect the desire and need for active learning methodologies to be implemented in modern medical education. Nearly all the students mentioned the need for practical skill acquisition, the integration of theory into practice and ethics in medical education. The success of these optional pathology study groups highlights the need for similar modalities to be incorporated into the main medical education curriculum.

Developing the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale in the Use of ICT at Home for Pre-school Distance Education During Covid-19

Distance education has added a different dimension to the change in the use of ICT (information and communication technologies) in the early childhood education paradigms in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes before and during the pandemic will also affect education in the post-pandemic period and this is why research in teachers’ ICT use, competencies, and self-efficacy has become a priority. The theoretical foundations of the scale developed to measure preschool teachers’ ICT self-efficacy in distance education were based on Bandura’s social cognitive theory, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, and Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory. Accordingly, this study employed a survey method based on quantitative research. This study utilized two different study groups: the first was the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) study group (N = 270), and the second was the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) study group (N = 275). A total of 555 preschool teachers volunteered to participate in the study. Exploratory Factor Analysis of the data set showed that the scale comprised three factors: information, communication, and technology. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the scale’s factors according to the fit index values on a different sample. The reliability analysis of the scale showed all factors to be reliable. After scale development phases and statistical analyses, it was determined that the teacher self-efficacy scale for the use of ICT at home is a valid and reliable measurement tool. The structure and results of the scale that was developed were compared with the results of different studies and discussed. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.

COVID - Development of Mathematical Model for Transmission of Corona Virus and Analysis of Its Data

Coronavirus disease 2019 and 2020 (COVID-19), a newly emerged respiratory disease.Worldwide attention has been generated because of this unprecedented situation. An effective strategy need to be developed for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic must be developed which must be highly accurate methods SARS-CoV-2 infected cases[1]. It was provisionally named as 2019-nCoV, But now it has been renamed as SARS-CoV-2 according to the Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses[2]. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the Coronaviridae family. The novel coronavirus pneumonia is a highly regarded infectious disease worldwide [3]. During pandemic an appropriate clinical decision report must be produced to case in a very short period of time. Rational management of the immune responses to SARSCoV-2, which includes enhancing anti-viral immunity while inhibiting systemic inflammation, may be key to successful treatment. © 2021 IEEE.

Student experiences of online study groups and drop-in mathematics support during COVID-19

In this paper, we consider the changes to mathematics learning support (MLS) at Maynooth University due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of novel online study groups aimed at increasing student engagement and interaction. We briefly outline the local, national and international impact of COVID-19 on MLS and then focus on the results of a student survey. Respondents who regularly used online MLS were broadly positive about their experiences. They cited, in particular, the influence of tutors and the scheduled study groups, which provided structure and motivation as well as the opportunity to work with others and ask questions in less intimidating small groups. However, some respondents highlighted factors that impacted negatively on their engagement. These included low attendance or interaction from peers, timetabling issues or busy schedules, lack of awareness of the details of the services and increased feelings of discomfort and anxiety in an online environment. We consider how this student feedback may influence our future online and in-person supports. © 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. All rights reserved

Now we are 30: 10 more years of MASCC.

This paper chronicles the third decade of MASCC from 2010. There was a generational change in this decade, building on the solid foundation of the founders. It included the first female President, and a new Executive Director with a background in strategy and business development and operations as applied to healthcare. The headquarters moved from Copenhagen to Toronto. The first meeting to be held outside of Europe or North America was held in Adelaide, Australia, and the membership in the Asia Pacific region expanded. A program of international affiliates saw national supportive care organisations formally link with MASCC. In cancer supportive care, there was a raft of new toxicities to manage as immunotherapies were added to conventional cytotoxic treatment. There was also a greater emphasis on the psychosocial needs of patients and families. New MASCC groups were formed to respond to this evolution in cancer management. The MASCC journal, Supportive Care in Cancer, continued to grow in impact, and MASCC published two editions of a textbook of supportive care and survivorship. The decade ended with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that served to highlight the importance of good supportive care to patients with cancer.

Management of gestational diabetes in women with a concurrent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, experience of a single center in Northern Italy.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we describe the management of women with gestational diabetes (GD) and an ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can further complicate pregnancies, and if the protocol we usually use for GD pregnancies is also applicable to patients who have contracted a SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective study analyzing all pregnant women with GD and concomitant COVID-19 admitted to our institution for antenatal care between March 1 and April 30, 2020. RESULTS: Among pregnant women with GD and a concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection, the mean age was 32.9 (SD 5.6) years. Two patients (33%) were of white racial origin and four (67%) were of non-white racial origin. All patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the third trimester of pregnancy. Two women were asymptomatic and four were symptomatic. Only two (33.3%) women received treatment with insulin. None of the patients required intensive care or mechanical ventilation. No complications were found among the neonates. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 was not found to worsen the prognosis of patients with GD or of their offspring. Glycemic monitoring, diet therapy, and insulin, when needed, are sufficient for good metabolic control and favorable maternal and fetal outcomes.