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New Approaches to Spray Disinfectants to Fight Coronavirus
Get PDFOur world is facing an unprecedented public health and economic crisis due to COVID-19. In this toughest challenging time, we are proposing some effective & affordable techniques for spraying disinfectants on each house, streets and roads of nation to help humanity to cope up with this calamity. We propose new spraying techniques and different type of disinfectants to disinfect larger areas repeatedly using two wheelers and other automobiles where larger vehicles can’t access and disinfect routinely. This will be effective in current as well as post lockdown pandemic era because very large population is involved in this movement andcommon public areas will be disinfected repeatedly and regularly without energy consumption
Vaccine Approaches for Pandemic COVID-19: An Overview
Get PDFThe coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2 causative agent of the pandemic viral pneumonia disease COVID-19, identified in the late 2019. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or therapeutics available to control the disease. Although, earlier research efforts of SARS pandemic (2003) provides the precious information to the researchers for fast track vaccine development. Research efforts for vaccine development of COVID-19 pandemic are unprecedented in terms of promising time period. The inactivated whole virus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is first one developed and entered into clinical trial. However, later on after announce of complete genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2, vaccine based on recombinant viral vector, nucleic acid and immunogenic fragment also introduced. Previous experience of undesired immunopotentiation in SARS-CoV studies represents, vaccine safety should be the main concern. Researchers believe that next generation vaccine approaches using recombinant technology such as viral vector or subunit protein-based vaccine will be more effective and safer. This review describes brief information of the major vaccine candidates and the current scenario of vaccine approaches against COVID-19 pandemic
Inspiration of Technology; Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Education
Get PDFJust like every other virus, there is a recent outbreak of COVID-19 which hampers with the school academic activities. This virus been an influenza, epidemic and airborne disease had affected a lot of lives, affecting national economy as well as shutting down all schools at all levels. Thus, there is a need to introduce technologies which can help students continue with their learning from their different isolation centres. The present study investigated (i) various technologies that can be used for learning from their isolation centres; (ii) influence of these technologies in combating the learning gaps established by COVID-19; and (iii) readiness of students to use these technologies. It was concluded that mobile learning, google classroom, webinar zoom application and web-based authoring system among others can be used to resolve the academic activity crisis established via the pandemic but clustered teaching is apt for those without access to versatile technologies and electricity power supply. Thus, if these technologies are utilized by students and teachers for both the teaching and learning process, there could be tremendous improvement in the academic performance of students as well as job performance of the teachers across all levels of education
Modeling COVID-19 Pandemic using Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) Model for Karachi City
Get PDFNumerical models can help identify the peak infection time of an epidemic. In Karachi, since the detection of patient zero on 26th February the infection has spread at an exponential rate. The epidemic may reach a point when rigorous measures should be implemented. In this study Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model is applied to predict the peak infection of COVID-19 in the population of Karachi City and compared with the number of reported cases by Sindh Population and Welfare Department’s database. The model was validated with the Lahore coronavirus cases correlation coefficient of modeled and observed data for Lahore City was observed to be 0.9736. According to the model prediction, Karachi would experience peak infection on 150th day that would be 25th July 2020 since the first case was reported on 26th February 2020. The correlation coefficient of modeled and observed data for historic period of 62 days is 0.9816. Measures like social distancing and strict operating procedure for essential community services should be adopted to control this spread otherwise the number of infected may result in collapse of the medical system
A Study of the Results of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Nigerian Maritime Workers
Get PDFFindings have shown that the recent lockdown of the economy and restriction of movements in Nigeria, due to Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic, seriously affected the Nigerian shipping, Aviation industries, Land transport sector, Financial, Health and Educational sectors. Import and export operations were hampered. The Nigerian maritime workers; mariners and seafarers were mentally and psychologically disturbed. Some were stranded in their various workplaces; aboard ships, platform rigs and stayed beyond their agreed contractual terms. They, therefore, lack social support from their family members and friends. Similarly, they had little or no support from their management, who were more concerned about contract execution than the welfare of their work force. This paper, however, is supporting the recommendation that the living and working conditions of the Nigerian Maritime workers and seafarers stranded and those whose salary and promotion arrears have not been paid during this pandemic should be given utmost attention. This should include applying pragmatic approach on the facilitation of sea workers’ health insurance schemes and incentives
Role of the Epidemiologist in the Containment of COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 virus is a novel virus that is zoonotic and has infected more than two million people with over Three hundred people who died from the pandemic. The virus has been declared a pandemic by the W.H.O overwhelming the health system and capacity of many countries with known cases of death of health workers and non-health workers alike. The virus can be prevented through adequate personal and respiratory hygiene and maintaining social distancing at this point in time. Although doctors and nurses might be the frontline and visible image of health workers in the ongoing battle against the virus, there are other health workers behind the scene like epidemiologists working round the clock to control this current pandemic Epidemiologist deals with data and data is the focal point in the prevention and control of diseases. Epidemiologists are involved in the Surveillance, Identification and Monitoring of Outbreaks, conducting researches and evaluating policies geared at Outbreaks. Problems associated with Data are the major constraints of an Epidemiologist. Efforts are currently ongoing by various health personnel to control the virus and provide vaccines for the treatment of the disease
Human Immune Response to COVID-19 Infection and Potential Role of Chloroquine Family of Drugs: A Review
Get PDFCurrently, world is witnessing a massive morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 pandemic. A novel strain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus enters inside the body and infect the cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the ACE2 receptor which results in endocytosis and transfer of virus into endosomes of body cells. Entry of SARS-CoV-2 results in activation of innate immune responses first followed by adaptive immune responses. The effective host immune responses are crucial to control and prevent viral infection. However, excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines and decrease in number of T-lymphocytes are the major reasons associated with severity of COVID-19. Therapies and drugs that can modulate the immune responses appropriately may play a crucial role to control and prevent the progression of disease. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antimicrobial and antithrombotic effects. These drugs have already been registered in many countries to treat arthritis, lupus and malaria. The treatment responses of COVID-19 patients to these drugs have been found positive in some cases and clinical studies are underway for evaluating these drugs for the same. However, there are some serious side effects and health hazards associated. Many regulatory bodies are demanding more conclusive data on efficacy and safety from the clinical studies. Moreover, some regulatory bodies such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have recommended to use these drugs in emergency and chronic situation to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients under doctor’s supervision with all issued guidelines. The national task force (NTF) set up by Indian Council of Medical Research has recommended high risk individuals to take HCQ for prophylaxis. This review summarizes human immune response and various aspects of CQ and HCQ with special reference to COVID-19
Effects of COVID-19 on Education in Healthcare and STEM
Get PDFThe Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic halted face-to-face classes in most schools, colleges, and universities worldwide, necessitating virtual instruction. This reformation of academics impacted every field of study, especially those students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and in the realm of healthcare science education. Ranging from middle/high school to undergraduate and graduate programs, STEM degrees entail rigorous curricula integrating extensive lectures on theoretical topics, and laboratory exercises to apply those concepts in a practical setting. Likewise, healthcare education involves hands-on, clinical lab components working on patients, guided by supervisors. The guidelines developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended refraining from physical learning environments and ensure social distancing as an important preventative measure against the contagion. As in-person classes, labs, and residencies were disrupted; students, faculty, staff, and administrators of STEM and healthcare education had to navigate multifarious challenges to continue the education effectively, while maintaining safety. This review encapsulates such effects of the pandemic on STEM and healthcare education in various countries. The study encompasses the strategies of distance education and alternative pedagogies for these disciplines adopted by institutions globally in the light of COVID-19, which could serve as a reference model for future pandemics
Compressive and Flexural Strengths of Concrete Containing Ground Palm Kernel Shells as Partial Replacement of Cement
No full textThe possibility of using ground palm kernel (GPK) shells for partial replacement of cement in concrete using mechanical destructive method has been studied. In this work, the compressive and flexural strengths of concrete in which from 20% to 60% of its cement was replaced by GPK shells were studied for both cubic and cylindrical test specimens. Generally, this study shows that, the compressive and flexural strengths of concrete containing GPK shells decrease as the replacement percentage increases. However, the values of these properties increase as the period of curing increases. Optimum values are realized after 28 days of curing in agreement with accepted practice. Also, fineness, porosity and permeability tests were performed on the cementitious materials (cement and GPK shells). Our results suggest that GPK “fuel” shells (i.e. shells subjected to incomplete combustion) have acceptable cementitious properties while GPK ordinary shells do not
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Waste Tea Leaves
No full textGreen synthesis of silver nanoparticles has gained momentum since the demand to synthesize nanoparticles in an eco-friendly way has increased significantly. Here we report, economic and cost-effective biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using waste tea leaves. Standardization studies were done to assess the optimum synthesis condition for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The optimum conditions were found to be pH 6, ambient room temperature or ambient temp conditions and 5mM AgNO3 concentration. Characterization studies using UV-Visible Spectroscopy, TEM and AFM analysis show nanoscale range of the particles. The silver nanoparticles showed maximum antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia followed by E. coli and minimum activity against C. diptheriae. The nanoparticles showed significant effect on the growth of Vigna radiata seeds at 50% concentration of nanoparticles. The particles impregnated on cotton cloth showed antibacterial activity against Gram positive organisms. Dye degradation studies showed that the nanoparticles are able to degrade phenol red and blue textile dye effectively