CT findings of 795 COVID-19 positive cases: a multicenter study in Egypt
Abstract Background Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was officially announced as a global pandemic by the WHO on March 11th 2020. Thorough understanding of CT imaging features of COVID-19 is essential for effective patient management; rationalizing the need for relevant research. The aim of this study was to analyze the chest CT findings of patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) proved COVID-19 admitted to four Egyptian hospitals. The recently published RSNA expert consensus statement on reporting COVID-19 chest CT findings was taken into consideration. Results Normal CT “negative for COVID-19” was reported in 26.1% of our RT-PCR proved COVID-19 cases. In descending order of prevalence, imaging findings of the positive CT studies (73.9%) included GGO (69%), consolidation (49.7%), crazy paving (15.4%), and peri-lobular fibrosis (40.6%). These showed a dominantly bilateral (68.2%), peripheral (72.4%), and patchy (64.7%) distribution. Remarkably, thymic hyperplasia was identified in 14.3% of studies. According to the RSNA consensus, CT findings were classified as typical in 68.9%, indeterminate in 3.6%, and atypical in 1.4% of the evaluated CT studies. Conclusion Although COVID-19 cannot be entirely excluded by chest CT, it can be distinguished in more than two-thirds of cases; making CT a widely available, non-invasive, and rapid diagnostic tool.
Youssriah Yahia Sabri, Mohamed Mohsen Tolba Fawzi, Eman Zaki Nossair, Safaa Mohamed El-Mandooh, Amira Aly Hegazy, Sally Fouad Tadros
Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Volatility Connectedness between Clean Energy Firms and Crude Oil in the COVID-19 Era
covid-19, volatility spillover, oil price, Hedging, clean energy firms, portfolio weights
The work investigates the volatility connectedness between oil price and clean energy firms over the period 2011–2020 (including the COVID-19 outbreak). Using the volatility spillover models, and dynamic conditional correlation, we are able to identify the volatility spillover effect between these financial markets and its implications for portfolio diversification. The results indicate a significant change in both static and dynamic volatility connectedness around the COVID-19 outbreak. For instance, total connectedness index changes from 21.36% (pre-COVID-19) to 61.23% (COVID-19). This finding shows the strong effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on these financial markets. Furthermore, we show how the WTI oil from the volatility transmitter (before the outbreak of the pandemic) becomes a risk receiver after the start of the global pandemic COVID-19. Our findings indicate that recent pandemic intensified volatility spillovers, supporting the financial contagion effects. Finally, we determine the optimal hedge ratios and portfolio weights. The estimates provided suggest the need for active portfolio management, taking into account the distinct characteristics of each sector and thus, the firm. For example, the optimal weight analysis shows how the clean sector has become important in optimal diversification strategies. Our results can be used for portfolio decisions and regulatory policymaking, particularly in the current context of high uncertainty.
Environmental effects of industries and plants, Renewable energy sources, Environmental sciences
Access and Use of Green Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Green Infrastructure Management in the “New Normal”
covid-19, Japan, green infrastructure, accessibility, Green area
This study aims to identify the influence of the socioeconomic attributes and environmental contexts of citizens’ residential areas on the access and use of green areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results can aid policymaking and facilitate the safe and unrestricted use of green areas during the pandemic. The access and use of green areas were analyzed using a survey conducted after the official COVID-19 emergency in Japan (16 April to 14 May, 2020). Visits to green areas during the pandemic have gained salience globally from multiple perspectives: health, planning, social justice, and equity. The results of this study demonstrated that socioeconomic factors influenced the frequency of visiting green areas. The factors further influenced the use of the three categories of green areas (parks, agricultural lands, and gardens). Environmental contexts, including the land use patterns in residential areas, also influenced the use of specific types of green areas. Thus, policies need to further facilitate visits to green areas by reflecting the socioeconomic attributes of residents and their households, including income, number of children, gender, and age, incorporating those who have less access and considering the spread of COVID-19 locally. Furthermore, policies for the use of specific green areas, including parks, agricultural lands, and gardens, need to take cognizance of the residents’ environmental contexts. Management of specific green areas, like agricultural lands, is required, and residents should be provided with opportunities to use these areas with measures to avoid infection.
Azospirillum brasilense and Solarized Manure on the Production and Phytochemical Quality of Tomato Fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
sustainability, beneficial microorganisms, dry arid zones
Tomato is a vegetable crop with probiotic interest. Currently subject to a global biosecurity emergency due to the epidemic caused by COVID-19, humanity is seeking to maintain its health and become stronger by eating vegetables that have probiotic properties. Considering the request of tomato farmers in the Comarca Lagunera (CL) region, the objective of this work consisted of determining the impact of bioinoculation with Azospirillum brasilense (Ab) and solarized manure (M) on the yield and phytochemical quality of tomato fruits produced in shade mesh. Seeds of the saladette variety TOP 2299 were inoculated with Ab at 1 × 108 CFU.mL. Before 46 days after being sowed, seedlings were transplanted in soil enriched with manure solarized at a rate of 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 t ha−1; a chemical fertilization (CHF) treatment was also adopted (366-95-635). Emergence, growth, root length, bromatological studies (protein and lipids in plant), yield and organoleptic (Vit C, phenols, flavonoids and lycopene) variables were considered. The results show that biofertilization based on Ab + M40 can be an alternative to produce tomato in shade-house conditions in the CL compared with non-inoculated and CHF treatments.
Alfonso Andrade-Sifuentes, Manuel Fortis-Hernández, Pablo Preciado-Rangel, Jorge Arnaldo Orozco-Vidal, Pablo Yescas-Coronado, Edgar Omar Rueda-Puente
Smart Beta Allocation and Macroeconomic Variables: The Impact of COVID-19
financial risk management, Smart beta, fintech risk management, factor-based model, market timing activity
Smart beta strategies across economic regimes seek to address inefficiencies created by market-based indices, thereby enhancing portfolio returns above traditional benchmarks. Our goal is to develop a strategy for re-hedging smart beta portfolios that shows the connection between multi-factor strategies and macroeconomic variables. This is done, first, by analyzing finite correlations between the portfolio weights and macroeconomic variables and, more remarkably, by defining an investment tilting variable. The latter is analyzed with a discriminant analysis approach with a twofold application. The first is the selection of the crucial re-hedging thresholds which generate a strong connection between factors and macroeconomic variables. The second is forecasting portfolio dynamics (gain and loss). The capability of forecasting is even more evident in the COVID-19 period. Analysis is carried out on the iShares US exchange traded fund (ETF) market using monthly data in the period December 2013–May 2020, thereby highlighting the impact of COVID-19.
Matteo Foglia, Maria Cristina Recchioni, Gloria Polinesi
Topical issues of legal regulation of labor relations in the educational sector in the context of the pandemic
The purpose of this study is to identify the dependence of the impact of the pandemic on changes in the regulation of labor relations in the educational sector. At present, serious changes have taken place not only in our country, but also in the world community as a whole. This is primarily due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected all areas of society. The educational process is no exception. The coronavirus pandemic has triggered a transformation of the educational process, at all levels. In the past year, this term has become one of the most widely used terms to describe the current state of the world that affects areas of society. The consequences of the pandemic are felt everywhere, it is a real phenomenon. Today, we can talk about the impact of the pandemic on economic, political, cultural, and international relations, which extends beyond any traditional borders. Changes in these areas are common to all States. Understanding the nature and direction of this phenomenon can help to form new principles of interaction between individual segments of society, as well as between community and the state.
The challenge and opportunities of thailand education due to the covid-19 pandemic: case study of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
This research aims to define the challenges and opportunities and how educational staff, teacher, lecturer in Nakhon Pathom, and Thailand respond to the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and understand the education obstacles due to the Covid19 pandemic in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. The information was collected by in-depth interview with 28 experienced educational staff in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, using snowball sampling during April 2020. Scope of information on the education obstacles, the challenges, and opportunities and how educational staff, teacher, lecturer in Nakhon Pathom, and Thailand respond to the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was analyzed using cause and effect analysis. The observed obstacles using the qualitative research methodology would be defined in the literature review section. The education obstacles due to the Covid19 pandemic are educational staff social impacts, educational staff working impacts, institutional responses, and support in resources. The study can be concluded that every crisis, there is always an opportunity. Perhaps, in this case, it is an opportunity for a pedagogical review. Therefore, it is expected that much educational staff will undertake the path of a necessary pedagogical renewal that favours both quality and equality. It is necessary to start from the principle of realism and generate strategies that do not rely only on a single technology, but on several to ensure that all students are taken into account or, which is equally or more critical, that technological solutions do not harm those who are already disadvantaged
Vanpetch Yingsak, Sattayathamrongthian Mahachai
Safety of bedside surgical tracheostomy during COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective observational study
Data regarding safety of bedside surgical tracheostomy in novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are lacking. We performed this study to assess the safety of bedside surgical tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU. This retrospective, single-center, cohort observational study (conducted between February, 23 and April, 30, 2020) was performed in our 45-bed dedicated COVID-19 ICU. Inclusion criteria were: a) age over 18 years; b) confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection (with nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab); c) invasive mechanical ventilation and d) clinical indication for tracheostomy. The objectives of this study were to describe: 1) perioperative complications, 2) perioperative alterations in respiratory gas exchange and 3) occurrence of COVID-19 infection among health-care providers involved into the procedure. A total of 125 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the ICU during the study period. Of those, 66 (53%) underwent tracheostomy. Tracheostomy was performed after a mean of 6.1 (± 2.1) days since ICU admission. Most of tracheostomies (47/66, 71%) were performed by intensivists and the mean time of the procedure was 22 (± 4.4) minutes. No intraprocedural complications was reported. Stoma infection and bleeding were reported in 2 patients and 7 patients, respectively, in the post-procedure period, without significant clinical consequences. The mean PaO2 / FiO2 was significantly lower at the end of tracheostomy (117.6 ± 35.4) then at the beginning (133.4 ± 39.2) or 24 hours before (135.8 ± 51.3) the procedure. However, PaO2/FiO2 progressively increased at 24 hours after tracheostomy (142 ± 50.7). None of the members involved in the tracheotomy procedures developed COVID-19 infection. Bedside surgical tracheostomy appears to be feasible and safe, both for patients and for health care workers, during COVID-19 pandemic in an experienced center.
Edoardo Picetti, Anna Fornaciari, Fabio Silvio Taccone, Laura Malchiodi, Silvia Grossi, Filippo Di Lella, Maurizio Falcioni, Giulia D’Angelo, Emanuele Sani, Sandra Rossi, Corstiaan den Uil
Using a rapid assessment methodology to identify and address immediate needs among low-income households with children during COVID-19
Objective Brighter Bites is a school-based health promotion program that delivers fresh produce and nutrition education to low-income children and families. Due to COVID-19-related school closures, states were under “shelter in place” orders, and Brighter Bites administered a rapid assessment survey to identify social needs among their families. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the methodology used to identify those with greatest social needs during this time (“high risk”), and to describe the response of Brighter Bites to these “high risk” families. Methods The rapid assessment survey was collected in April 2020 across Houston, Dallas, Washington DC, and Southwest Florida. The survey consisted of items on disruption of employment status, financial hardship, food insecurity, perceived health status and sociodemographics. The open-ended question “Please share your greatest concern at this time, or any other thoughts you would like to share with us.” was asked at the end of each survey to triage “high risk” families. Responses were then used to articulate a response to meet the needs of these high risk families. Results A total of 1048 families completed the COVID-19 rapid response survey, of which 71 families were triaged and classified as “high risk” (6.8% of survey respondents). During this time, 100% of the “high risk” participants reported being food insecure, 85% were concerned about their financial stability, 82% concerned about the availability of food, and 65% concerned about the affordability of food. A qualitative analysis of the high-risk group revealed four major themes: fear of contracting COVID19, disruption of employment status, financial hardship, and exacerbated food insecurity. In response, Brighter Bites pivoted, created, and deployed a framework to immediately address a variety of social needs among those in the “high risk” category. Administering a rapid response survey to identify the immediate needs of their families can help social service providers tailor their services to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
Shreela V. Sharma, Amier Haidar, Jacqueline Noyola, Jacqueline Tien, Melinda Rushing, Brittni M. Naylor, Ru-Jye Chuang, Christine Markham, Michael L. Goodman
SANTA CEIA/EUCARISTIA EM TEMPOS DE COVID-19: PERSPECTIVAS CATÓLICAS E LUTERANAS – UM DIÁLOGO
A proposta da presente pesquisa, bibliográfica e documental, é analisar como a pandemia da COVID-19 afeta a vida das igrejas, com foco na celebração do sacramento da Santa Ceia/Eucaristia, e como as igrejas católica e luterana têm procurado reagir Ã situação posta. No caso católico, missas são realizadas com a presença de reduzido número de pessoas e transmitidas online. A Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterana no Brasil – IECLB, por sua vez, preferiu desaconselhar a celebração da Santa Ceia por enquanto, o que resultou num tipo de “jejum eucarístico” já prolongado. Ambas as soluções têm suas vantagens e desvantagens e suas razões de ser práticas e doutrinárias. Analisando as diferentes posturas dessas duas igrejas em relação Ã s celebrações eucarísticas durante a pandemia, o artigo pergunta sobre novas modalidades que podem ser descobertas para a celebração da Ceia/Eucaristia nesse contexto, bem como suas implicações teológicas.
Faculdade Jesuíta de Filosofia e Teologia