How COVID-19 Impacted The Tacit Knowledge and Social Interaction of Global NPD Project Teams: The complexity framework offers managers an effective way to analyze problems and to generate solutions to manage tacit knowledge and social interaction in dispersed global NPD project teams

: Overview: Multinational, technology-intensive companies routinely use globally distributed R&D teams, but COVID-19 represented an additional challenge. Lockdowns and home-office working severely limit human interaction and can impact the communication, social interaction, and knowledge sharing critical to successful R&D. Our study investigated how COVID-19 affected R&D processes at three global companies, using a project complexity perspective. Although R&D managers responsible for global projects are accustomed to the challenges of managing communications, the fact that teams were forced into home-office working made new product development more difficult in several ways. Ensuring that technical details are understood by all members of dispersed teams is crucial. Of particular note, and central to our findings, is the emphasis that R&D managers placed on maintaining a high level of social interaction in their teams, and special efforts were needed to keep interactions at a sufficient level to foster the generation and transfer of tacit knowledge. The findings have strong implications for the way that R&D project management is likely to be conducted in a post-COVID-19 world, and we demonstrate how the complexity framework we used can benefit managers in navigating this and other challenges. © Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Characteristic and quantifiable COVID-19 like abnormalities in CT- and PET/CT-1 imaged lungs of SARS-CoV-2 infected crab eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing an exponentially increasing number of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) cases globally. Prioritization of medical countermeasures for evaluation in randomized clinical trials is critically hindered by the lack of COVID-19 animal models that enable accurate, quantifiable, and reproducible measurement of COVID-19 pulmonary disease free from observer bias. We first used serial computed tomography (CT) to demonstrate that bilateral intrabronchial instillation of SARS CoV-2 into crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) results in mild-to-moderate lung abnormalities qualitatively characteristic of subclinical or mild-to-moderateCOVID-19 (e.g., ground-glass opacities with or without reticulation, paving, or alveolar consolidation, peri-bronchial thickening, linear opacities) at typical locations (peripheral>central, posterior and dependent, bilateral, multi-lobar). We then used positron emission tomography (PET) analysis to demonstrate increased FDG uptake in the CT-defined lung abnormalities and regional lymph nodes. PET/CT imaging findings appeared in all macaques as early as 2 days post exposure, variably progressed, and subsequently resolved by 6-12 days post exposure. Finally, we applied operator-independent, semi-automatic quantification of the volume and radiodensity of CT abnormalities as a possible primary endpoint for immediate and objective efficacy testing of candidate medical countermeasures.

IMPACT-ReCaP: Rectal cancer management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose/Background: With enhanced strain on healthcare systems and avoidance of routine surgery and systemic therapy during the COVID-19 period due to increased morbidity and mortality alternative oncological approaches have been employed. We aimed to determine the variation in strategies adopted nationally across the United Kingdom (UK) and long-term associated outcomes. Methods/Interventions: A UK multi-centre prospective observational study was performed from the date of National Governmental lockdown (23/3/20) until the lifting of restrictions (17/5/21). Patients with a new diagnosis of rectal cancer or those rediscussed at MDT on an existing treatment pathway were eligible for inclusion. Results/Outcomes: The first 900 patients were reported from 70 registered sites;65.4% male, 73.6% >60 years old. 62.4% of patients were diagnosed following lockdown. 65.8% of MDTs had a partial or entirely virtual format. 22.8% of tumours were T4, with 4.3% local recurrence. Following lockdown there was a significant increase in the use of SCRT + delay from 10.0% to 18.7% (p < 0.0005), with a rate of 26.7% during the first wave. Comparably the rate of LCRT fell 53.3% to 18.0% (p < 0.0001). 86.2% of those undergoing surgery during the first wave had stoma formation, 26.0% of which due to COVID-19 concerns alone. 18.6% of patients were deemed to have received different management plans due to COVID-19. Conclusion/Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to variation in oncological treatment strategies for rectal cancer, most notably an increase in the use of SCRT radiotherapy, deferral of surgery and stoma formation. Whilst short-term data appears to suggest equivalence in outcomes compared to LCRT, caution needs to be shown whilst awaiting longer-term outcomes and ensuring robust follow up and safety netting to avoid long term harm.

COVID-19 on an acute psychiatric unit: an interdisciplinary, trauma-informed response

Purpose: There is a high prevalence of trauma among mental health clients, with risk of re-traumatisation when admitted to a Department of Psychiatry (DoP) (Kimberg and Wheeler, 2019). The COVID-19 pandemic poses challenges to therapy service operations in DoPs, with infection control measures impacting opportunities for therapeutic and social engagement. A trauma-informed care (TIC) lens was used when adapting services in Tallaght University Hospital DoP in response to COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach: An interdisciplinary approach was taken to adapt therapy services during early stages of the pandemic. Changes were informed by TIC principles to minimise re-traumatisation while maintaining high-quality services. Changes included expansion of the therapeutic activity programme, changes to groups, addition of COVID-19-specific groups and increased awareness of communication support needs. Findings: The early response to the pandemic, combined with the focus on TIC, resulted in continued, effective therapy services and positive client feedback. With clients’ involvement in their care enhanced, Individual Care Planning goals were achieved through group interventions. Originality/value: The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to mental health services. This paper highlights a response to unique challenges brought by COVID-19 on a DoP. © 2022, Laura Carroll, Hannah Casey, Rory Adams, Stephanie O’Connor and Áine O’Reilly.

BYOE: Individual Lab Kit Options for Analog and Digital Circuits Suitable for In-class or At-home Experiments

During a pandemic such as COVID-19, many institutions need to increase the portion of online instruction and enforce social distancing in the classroom. It is challenging to maintain the same level of hands-on lab experience, and yet lab experience is essential for many courses and perhaps the most effective pedagogy to help students learn. There are three alternatives to traditional labs: (1) purely virtual simulations, via an app or software, an online platform, or a virtual environment;(2) remote labs to run experiments on actual hardware hosted off-site via internet and parallel access;and (3) individual lab kits so that each student can have a complete set of toolkits to conduct experiments. The choice depends on budget, software and hardware compatibility, and, practically, product availability. The authors explored all three options in summer 2020 and chose the third option across multiple courses in our engineering and technology programs in fall 2020 and spring 2021. This paper presents the exploration results of all three options and provides detailed recommendations concerning how the lab kits may be best utilized. For analog and digital circuit labs, there are several crucial functionalities that the lab kits need to provide, such as AC and DC power supplies, oscilloscopes, digital I/O's, or FPGA, and an adequate number of channels for each. Most lab kits integrate Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog converters to achieve such functionalities. The lab kits also need to be affordable and portable. We have tested multiple devices in order to assign appropriate lab kits to several different courses based on course needs. Besides the health benefit to use individual lab kits, every student must be engaged in the individual labs, whereas in group labs using bench-top devices in a lab setting, some students may hide out when their team members are doing the majority of the work. Understandably, the portable lab kits will be limited in their voltage, current, and frequency ranges, and there will be some courses that require certain lab equipment that are beyond such lab kits' capabilities. The constraints of the lab kits that we have tested and evaluated are reported in this paper, as well. The solution presented in this paper provides ideas and inspirations to other institutions, as we share the common goal to maintain and hopefully enhance the students' hands-on learning experience. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2021

Investment strategies in pandemic situations: an analysis and comparison of prospective returns between developed and emerging markets

This study empirically analyzes return data from developed and emerging markets to assess whether emerging markets show superior performance during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of cost of equity. It analyses panel data from eight country indices of developed and emerging countries as well as eight exemplary companies from developed and emerging countries, covering the period from 2000 to 2020. The results provide evidence that emerging markets do not perform in a better way than developed markets. The findings highlight the need for a reassessment of the generalized notion that emerging markets are more profitable than developed markets in such crises which affect the core of their economic structure. It provides investors with meaningful advice on the creation of an investment strategy if they wish to perform equity investments in similar periods like the COVID-19 pandemic. The study contributes to the literature by advancing this research area and is the first study which analyzes and compares the cost of equity of developed and emerging markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inhibition of WEE1 is effective in TP53 and RAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): A randomised phase II trial (FOCUS4-C) comparing adavosertib (AZD1775) with active monitoring

Background: Outcomes in RAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remain poor and patients have limited therapeutic options. Adavosertib is the first small molecule inhibitor of WEE1 kinase. We hypothesised that aberrations in DNA replication seen in mCRC with both RAS and TP53 mutations would sensitise tumours to WEE1 inhibition. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed mCRC were registered into FOCUS4 and tested for TP53 and RAS mutations. Those with both mutations who were stable or responding after 16 weeks of chemotherapy were randomised 2:1 between Adavosertib or active monitoring (AM). The primary outcome was progression-free-survival (PFS). Results: Between Jul 2017 and Mar 2020 718 patients were registered into FOCUS4;247 (34%) were RAS/TP53-mutant. 69 patients were randomised from 25 UK hospitals (44 to Adavosertib;25 to AM) and recruitment terminated early due to COVID-19 and following DMEC review of efficacy data. Adavosertib was associated with a PFS improvement over AM (median 3.61 vs 1.87 months;HR=0.35[95% CI 0.18-0.68], p=0.0022). In pre-specified subgroup analysis, Adavosertib activity was greater in left-sided tumours HR=0.24 [95% CI 0.11–0.51], versus right-sided HR=1.02 [95% CI 0.41–2.56] (interaction p=0.043). Adavosertib activity was limited to tumours with KRAS12/13 mutations, rather than mutations in extended KRAS or NRAS (interaction p=0.01). Overall survival (OS) was not improved with Adavosertib vs AM (median 14.0 vs 12.8 months;HR=0.92[95%CI 0.44-1.94], p=0.93);however in left-sided tumours, median OS was 14.1 vs 11.3 months (HR=0.37 [95%CI 0.15-0.87]) and 6.5 vs 15.5 months in right-sided (HR=2.15 [95%CI 0.72-6.43], interaction p=0.0047). Adavosertib was well tolerated;grade 3 toxicities were diarrhoea (9%), nausea (5%) and neutropenia (7%). Conclusions: In this phase II randomised trial, Adavosertib improved PFS compared with AM and demonstrates potential as a well-tolerated therapy for RAS/TP53-mutant mCRC. Activity was greater in patients with left-sided tumours, with potential impact on OS. Further testing is required in this sizable population of unmet need. Clinical trial identification: ISRCTN90061546. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: MRC/NIHR, CRUK, AstraZeneca. Disclosure: J. Seligmann: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Pierre Fabre;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Merck Serono;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Pierre Fabre;Financial Interests, Personal, Expert Testimony: Roche Diagnostics;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Servier. T. Maughan: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Pierre Fabre;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Pfizer;Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding: Psioxus;Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding: Merck KGAA. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Student feedback from a new interactive sexual health e-learning course is as good as the previous face-to-face teaching

Introduction: It is imperative that medical students can demonstrate capability in sexual history taking in preparation for patient-centred consultations as doctors. As part of 2.5 days of sexual health teaching, year 4 Bristol University medical students attend a three hour experiential 'Sexual History Taking Workshop' (adapted from the BASHH “Toolkit for Sexual History taking” 2004), in groups of 10-12 with a tutor (consultant/registrar). During the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved this from a face-to-face to a virtual platform for the remaining 65 students. Students completed pre-recorded lectures and e-learning case studies prior to the workshop. Methods: Using a technology-enhanced learning moderator to support each session, we facilitated 6 role-plays for each group and smaller breakout 'rooms' to practise risk assessment skills. Tutors used the Race model to engage students in experiential learning by facilitating immersive role-playing and feedback. Students completed pre and post-self-perceived assessment tools regarding their knowledge skills and attitudes to sexual history taking. This was compared to the feedback from face-to-face workshops from multiple previous years. Results: Student feedback confirms the sexual history taking e-workshop performed as well as face-to-face workshops with 3%(2/64) students feeling they could “take a sexual history” beforehand increasing to 86%(50/58) afterwards (p < 0.001), similar to the face-to-face format (p-value 0.6). Overall 60% rated the on-line course 'excellent', 40% 'good'. Discussion: There was a significant improvement in self-perceived inventory pre and post-e-workshop. Through this innovative approach, we have uncovered unexpected advantages for teaching a range of students with diverse attitudes, beliefs, and learning styles by providing an inclusive and safe space to explore and apply these. Qualitative student feedback revealed specific benefits of virtual workshops including the creation of a non-threatening environment in which they could engage at their own pace. Students also report it will help prepare them for telehealth consultations in the future.