A study of game-based learning in STEM education: A computer programming course for visual design students at a university in Taiwan

In Taiwan, students in visual design-related disciplines have long neglected the traditional mindset of balanced development in many subjects during their secondary education. The learning process has largely abandoned STEM and other mathematical and scientific courses, focusing only on skills and craft training. In recent years, STEM education has been actively promoted in higher education in Taiwan. This study aims to plan and design a learning model that is motivating and fun for students within the constraints mentioned above. We used game-based learning to introduce STEM education and enhance visual design students' interest in STEM. A course was selected to teach programming logical concepts. The students were taught to use Scratch and Code.org as learning platforms to learn the building block programming language. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online board game activities were incorporated into the teaching mode of the course. Game-based learning and game mechanics were integrated into the learning activities of the course. The learning activities incorporated a cardboard game with digital media and a competitive mode to enhance the interest of students with design expertise in STEM topics. The basic concepts of programming language were transformed into images and the game mechanism was added to enhance students' motivation. In this study, students were introduced to the basic structure of programming through a specially designed board game to enhance their logical thinking skills. We found that the transformation of program concepts from words to images helped learners to make picture associations, which effectively increased motivation and motivated learners to participate in learning. Especially for students who were not interested in STEM. © 2023 Author(s).

Understanding small- and very-small-scale meat processors in Missouri to strengthen the local supply chain

Promoting local food systems is crucial to provid-ing a more viable economy, eco-friendly produc-tion, and equal opportunities for producers, con -sumers, and communities. Meat processors are critical to local meat producers and the meat supply chain. However, various barriers have restricted small-scale meat processors and challenged the lo -cal meat supply chain. Although local food systems have gained enormous scholarly attention, little at-tention has been devoted to specifically exploring the meat processing sector. This study investigated the characteristics and challenges of small-scale (<750 employees) and very-small-scale (<200 em-ployees) meat processors in Missouri. Twenty-six meat processors participated in an online survey through Qualtrics, a mail survey, or a structured phone interview between May 2021 and March 2022. We identified the characteristics and con-straints related to their businesses. The analysis re-vealed that 76% of meat processors perceived that their business was in better or much better condi-tion than before the COVID-19 pandemic, reflect-ing their adaptability to the disrupted meat supply chain. However, small-scale meat processing facili-ties were limited by the labor shortage, complicated regulations and high regulatory compliance costs, a lack of consistent supply, and limited access to tools and equipment. More integrated work is needed to aid smaller processors in positively im-pacting the local community and environment through locally sourced meat production. This study contains helpful implications for state-level policymaking, extension programs, and future re-search directions.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Covid-19 Vaccines among Plwh

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated promising serologic responses in PLWH receiving a third dose of vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. However, real-world clinical effectiveness, especially during the pandemic caused by B.1.1.529 variant, remains less investigated. Method(s): PLWH seeking HIV care at our hospital from 2021/6 to 2022/6 were included and advised to receive the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals were excluded from this study if they had been previously diagnosed with COVID-19. Different types of COVID-19 vaccines were available in the vaccination program, including BNT162b2, mRNA-1273 (either 50 or 100 mug), MVC-COV1901 and NVX-CoV2373 vaccines. PLWH were screening for the occurrence of COVID-19 through the reporting system of notifiable diseases of Taiwan CDC, and were tested for anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) IgG every 1 to 3 months. Participants were followed for 180 days until the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccination, occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, seroconversion of anti-N IgG, death, or loss to follow-up, whichever occurred first. Result(s): 1,496 PLWH were included: 631 (42.2%) receiving 100 mug mRNA-1273 vaccine, 468 (31.3%) 50 mug mRNA-1273 vaccine, and 328 (21.9%) BNT162b2 vaccine, 65 (4.3%) MVC-COV1901 vaccine, and 4 (0.3%) NVX-CoV2373 vaccine for the third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. 297 (19.9%) PLWH were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the follow-up period, including 92 (14.6%) who received 100 mug mRNA-1273, 111 (23.7%) 50 mug mRNA-1273, 79 (24.1%) BNT162b2 and 15 (21.7%) either MVC-COV1901 or NVX-CoV2373;in addition, 98 PLWH had seroconversion of anti-N IgG during follow-up, including 23, 50, 19 and 6 PLWH who received 100 mug mRNA-1273, 50 mug mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, and either MVC-COV1901 or NVX-CoV2373, respectively. Similar rates of new infection with SARS-CoV-2 or seroconversion of anti-N IgG were demonstrated regardless the vaccine type of the third dose (log-rank test, p=0.46). Factors associated with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and seroconversion of anti-N IgG included an age >50 years (aOR, 0.67;95% CI, 0.49-0.91) and newly infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (aOR, 1.41;95% CI, 1.09-1.83). Conclusion(s): Our study demonstrated that clinical effectiveness of the third dose of different vaccines available to PLWH was similar in preventing SARSCoV- 2 infection or seroconversion of anti-N IgG Taiwan. PLWH aged less than 50 years and those with newly diagnosed HCV infection were at higher risk of acquiring COVID-19. Kaplan-Meier survival curve for acquiring COVID-19 or seroconversion of anti-N IgG in PLWH receiving different COVID-19 vaccination of the third dose (log-rank test, 4 groups, p = 0.46).

COVID-19 and Sport Sponsorship: Seeing the Silver Lining in Times of Crisis

Alongside the sale of broadcast rights and tickets, sport sponsorship is a critical source of revenue for many professional sporting organisations. Chapter 14 takes a detailed look at how sponsorship partnerships were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of significant disruptions to professional sport across the years 2020 and 2021. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Stephen Frawley and Nico Schulenkorf;individual chapters, the contributors.

The arrhythmic events and short-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection in Taiwan

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the arrhythmic events and short-term cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection in a single Taiwan tertiary center. Method(s): A retrospective study was carried out on 186 confirmed COVID-19 infection patients admitted to our hospital between May, 2021 and September, 2021. We investigate their CV symptoms, vital signs, laboratory examinations, arrhythmic events, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including ischemic stroke or systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, CV death, and heart failure (HF) during hospitalization. Result(s): During the hospitalization, 29.6% of patients had an elevation of cardiac enzymes, 67.2% had an elevation of d-dimer level, and 7.5% had abnormal NT-pro BNP level. The most common recorded arrhythmia is sinus tachycardia (22%), followed by atrial arrhythmia (12.4%, including atrial fibrillation 7.0%), sinus bradycardia (3.2%), ventricular arrhythmia (1.6%), and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (1.1%). A total of 68 patients (36.6%) had arrhythmic events during hospitalization. During the mean follow-up of 2.8 months, 17 patients (9.1%) developed MACE, including 6 ischemic strokes, one pulmonary embolism, one peripheral artery occlusive disease, 3 HF, and 7 CV death. The total mortality rate is 19.9%. The hospitalized patients with arrhythmic events were associated with a higher incidence of intubation (32% vs 15%, p = 0.0062), MACE (22% vs 2%, p < 0.001), and mortality (37% vs 10%, p < 0.001) than those without arrhythmic events. Conclusion(s): The patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection were associated with higher CV manifestations and arrhythmic events in Taiwan. Those patients with arrhythmic events were associated with higher morbidity and mortality.

Role of economic, and social parameters affecting life satisfaction and happiness during pre and post Covid era: a study with Marx's perspective

A cognitive, objective, and subjective evaluation of the judgment of one's perspective of looking at life defines as life satisfaction and happiness. There is a strong association between life satisfaction, joy, and external parameters, including environmental and socioeconomic factors and green innovation technologies. Marx's theory on life satisfaction provides an exciting insight and defines that economic resources are necessary to live comfortably. The core objective of this paper is to examine the effects of contributing parameters concerning life satisfaction and happiness (LSH) in China from 2005 to 2020. For this purpose, data collected for the dependent variable collect World Happiness Index and World Bank official website. Nine independent variables related to LSH discuss freedom to make life choices (FMLC);GDP growth;Social contribution (SC);Employment rate (ER);Social support (SS);Innovation and development (ID);Life expectancy (LE);Coverage of social safety (CSS);High qualification (HQ). The maximum LSH value is 5.77, with a mean value of 5.13. The highest coefficient correlation value with LSH is CO2, with a positive correlation coefficient value of 0.80, followed by GDPG, with a negative coefficient value of 0.80. PC1 explains 76.74% of results, whereas MLR produces 0.91 R2 (p-value: 0.093, Residual standard error: 0.181). There is a need to understand correlates and determinants in further detail to set up a framework that enables policy-makers to incorporate well-being and life satisfaction measures in carving new public policies. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

[Progress on specific and non-specific immune effects of Bacille Calmette-Guerin].

Currently, Bacille Calmette-Guerin(BCG) is still the only admitted vaccine to prevent tuberculosis around the world. The target population is infants and children, but its protective efficacy is limited. As more and more studies have shown that re-vaccination with BCG protects against tuberculosis in adults, BCG can also induce non-specific immunity against other respiratory diseases and some chronic diseases by training immunity, especially the immune effects against COVID-19. At present, the epidemic of COVID-19 has not been effectively contained, and it is worth considering whether BCG vaccine can be used as an intervention to prevent COVID-19. The WHO and China do not have a policy to support BCG revaccination, and as more and more BCG vaccines are discovered, whether selective revaccination can be carried out in some high-risk populations and whether the vaccine can be used more widely have led to intense discussions. This article reviewed the effects of specific immunity and non-specific immunity of BCG on tuberculosis and non-tuberculous diseases.

Knowledge ecosystem of financial markets: a new perspective on alleviating the supply-demand contradiction of the rural finance in the post-COVID-19 era

Purpose: This paper aims to establish a systematic cognition to alleviate the supply–demand contradiction in rural financial markets from an integrated perspective of knowledge management and proposes the concept of rural financial knowledge ecosystem (RFKE) to encourage multifaceted solutions. Design/methodology/approach: The authors qualitatively describe the process that the knowledge management dilemmas cause the supply–demand contradiction in the rural finance and further summarize a systematic methodology from three dimensions: the knowledge subject, the knowledge environment and the knowledge ecology. Findings: The authors list four types of knowledge management dilemmas leading to the supply–demand contradiction in the rural finance, i.e. the weak knowledge sharing, the poor knowledge flow, the slow knowledge updating and the imperfect knowledge environment. Meanwhile, the RFKE model consisting of the ecological subject, the ecological environment and the ecological regulation is also presented. Research limitations/implications: The role of knowledge management in improving the allocation of financial resources to various rural financial market participants (government, rural financial institutions, farmers, agricultural enterprises, etc.). Originality/value: The authors creatively give the RFKE model, which complements and enriches the theory of knowledge management. Meanwhile, relevant management practices are urgently needed under the macro circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rural revitalization in China. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Patients in Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II

Introduction: COVID-19 significantly affected outpatient cardiac rehabilitation which is a central resource for patients recovering from cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) Phase II clinical outcomes. Method(s): A single-site retrospective chart review of CR Phase II patients who completed 12 or more visits during 2019 (pre-COVID) and 2020 (COVID) was performed. Depression was measured using the PHQ-9, functional capacity was measured by the 6-minute walk in distance (ft) and metabolic equivalents (METs), and quality of life (QOL) was measured by the Ferrans and Powers Index. Descriptive and linear mixed methods were used to analyze the data. Result(s): A total of 212 patients who were predominately male 67% and 66.5 (SD=10.8) years old were included. PHQ-9 results showed a significant interaction COVID*pre-post scores F(1, 119.66) = 4.66, p = 0.03. For the remaining scores, all results showed significant improvements in pre-post: distance F(1, 151.90) = 226.92, p <.001;METs F(1, 180.13) = 138.7, p <.001;and QOL F(1, 145.32) = 5.89, p =0.02. Interactions were not significant for the three variables. QOL results showed significant differences in the COVID group with F(1, 239.12) = 6.13, p = 0.01. Conclusion(s): All four outcomes improved significantly in the pre-COVID and COVID sample. COVID significantly impacted depression PHQ-9 score change, with a pre-post improvement of 0.62 points in the pre-COVID group and 2.08 points during COVID. Finally, the mean overall QOL score was significantly lower in the COVID group than the pre-COVID group.

LONELINESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF THE INSTITUTIONAL OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Purpose: Institutional residents experienced more restrictions in the lockdown of covid-19. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of loneliness and lonely literacy with mental health wellbeing during covid-19 for older institutional residents. Methods: The participants living in the 13 long-term care institutions who were aged 65 and more and able to communicate with were invited in the survey (n=143). Mental well-being was measured by depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Loneliness was measured by the 6-item UCLA loneliness scale. In addition, demographics, health status, active and passive coping strategies, social support from family and friends, social interaction changes after covid-19, loneliness change after covid-19, and worries about covid-19 were investigated. Linear regression and logistic regression models were conducted. Results: The mean of the loneliness score (6~24) was 9.71 (SD=4.02). Factors related to loneliness increased during covid-19 for the institutionalized residents included having more physical function difficulties (OR=1.179), feeling more lonely (OR=1.146), and having more worries for covid-19 (OR=2.317). The residents having depressive symptoms was related to have more loneliness (OR=1.269), worse self-rate health (OR=0.320), and increased more loneliness during covid-19 (OR=3.233);while having high life satisfaction was related to less loneliness (OR=0.859), less physical difficulties (OR=0.834), higher satisfaction of family support (OR=2.835), and not increasing loneliness during covid-19 (OR=0.255). Conclusion: Loneliness during covid-19 is related to more depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction, especially during covid-19. Learning active coping strategy and providing proactive and helpful environment for the long-term care residents is suggested during the pandemics.

BRIDGING SILOS: EVALUATION OF AN INNOVATIVE REGIONAL SENIOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

A pilot study was conducted for a regional transit authority (RTA) to evaluate the implementation of a customized software to increase ridership, trips, destinations and coordination of rides among four Councils on Aging (COA) using RTA vans to serve rural communities in north central Massachusetts. Baseline and follow up ride data were collected from each COA from Fall 2019 (N= 178 riders;N= 4,230 trips) and Fall 2021 (N= 131 riders;N= 2,020 trips) and from 59 stakeholder interviews with riders, drivers, dispatchers, and staff from the COAs, RTA, and software company. The evaluation found after 6 months that while the goals of the pilot were not yet achieved, due in part to external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and driver shortage, valuable lessons were learned including the importance of balancing provider goals of efficiency and reporting with rider needs of driver hands-on assistance and friendly scheduling support.

A review of COVID-19: A summary of the epidemic in Wuhan and other local areas in China

COVID-19 is a new kind of coronavirus that was found in 2019 and it has swept the world until now. Reviewing it and discovering the problem is what we must do. In this scenario, the influence of COVID-19 on the world, and especially in China since it is the country where COVID-19 first outbreak, has been thoroughly reviewed. The main point ofthis paper is to identify the epidemiological information ofCOVID-19 and to review typical cities that are most influenced by COVID-19, such as Wuhan, Dalian, and Shijiazhuang. Moreover, discovering and comparing the characteristics and regulations according to different periods have also been carefully performed. With the understanding of the infection of COVID-19, the bright future in which prevention and control measures of nosocomial infection are improved is surely within reach. Furthermore, the psychological construction and management in fundamental systems require more attention. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.

A Study on the Relationship between Family Health and Negative Psychology of Primary and Secondary School StudenSs during Epidemic Prevention and Control

To know the current status of family health and negative psychology of primary and secondary school students, and to explore the correlation between them during the prevention and control of COVlD-19. From January 1 5 to 30, in 2022, a total of 1 9 343 urban and rural primary and secondary school students in X city were selected. The short form of the family health scaee, center for epidemiologica survey-depression scaee and student burnout inventory for junior midde school students were used to conduct a cross-sectional survey. The Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the family health and negative psychology. The family health of primary and secondary school students is at the medium level or above, and more than half of students may/must be depressed. There are significant differences in study burnout n different learning stages and epidemic management in different places of residence. It is recommended that family members and schools staff should give more psychological and social secondary school students to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on them. © 2022, Editorial department of Chinese Medical Ethics. All rights reserved.

Wired to seek, comment and share? Examining the relationship between personality, news consumption and misinformation engagement

Purpose - News consumption is critical in creating informed citizenry;however, in the current context of media convergence, news consumption becomes more complex as social media becomes a primary news source rather than news media. The current study seeks to answer three questions: why the shifted pattern of news seeking only happens to some but not all of the news consumers;whether the differentiated patterns of news seeking (news media vs social media) would result in different misinformation engagement behaviors;and whether misperceptions would moderate the relationship between news consumption and misinformation engagement. Design/methodology/approach - A survey consisted of questions related to personality traits, news seeking, misperceptions and misinformation engagement was distributed to 551 individuals. Multiple standard regression and PROCESS Macro model 1 were used to examine the intricate relationships between personality, news use and misinformation engagement. Findings - Results indicate that extroversion was positively associated with social media news consumption while openness was inversely related to it. Social media news consumption in turn positively predicted greater misinformation sharing and commenting. No association was found between Big Five personality traits and news media news seeking. News media news seeking predicted higher intention to reply to misinformation. Both relationships were further moderated by misperceptions that individuals with greater misperceptions were more likely to engage with misinformation. Originality/value - The current study integrates personality traits, news consumption and misperceptions in understanding misinformation engagement behaviors. Findings suggest that news consumption via news media in the digital era merits in-depth examinations as it may associate with more complex background factors and also incur misinformation engagement. Social media news consumption deserves continuous scholarly attention. Specifically, extra attention should be devoted to extrovert and pragmatic individuals in future research and interventions. People with these characteristics are more prone to consume news on social media and at greater risk of falling prey to misinformation and becoming a driving force for misinformation distribution. Peer review -The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2021-0520