An Effective Numerical Method for the Solution of a Stochastic Coronavirus(2019-nCovid)Pandemic Model

Nonlinear stochastic modeling plays a significant role in disciplines such as psychology,finance,physical sciences,engineering,econometrics,and biological sciences.Dynamical consistency,positivity,and boundedness are fundamental properties of stochastic modeling.A stochastic coronavirus model is studied with techniques of transition probabilities and parametric perturbation.Well-known explicit methods such as Euler Maruyama,stochastic Euler,and stochastic Runge–Kutta are investigated for the stochastic model.Regrettably,the above essential properties are not restored by existing methods.Hence,there is a need to construct essential properties preserving the computational method.The non-standard approach of finite difference is examined to maintain the above basic features of the stochastic model.The comparison of the results of deterministic and stochastic models is also presented.Our proposed efficient computational method well preserves the essential properties of the model.Comparison and convergence analyses of the method are presented.

The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Socioeconomic Future of Young Saudis

The 2020 coronavirus(COVID-19)pandemic has wreaked havoc with national economies globally.In Saudi Arabia,the combination of the pandemic’s ramifications coupled with low oil prices had an immediate negative impact on the Saudi economy as well as jeopardising the future plans of many young nationals.Yet,in a country with approximately 60%of the population under 30 years of age,many of whom are increasingly well-educated,constructive youth engagement is a necessity for the socioeconomic development of Saudi Arabia.The fallout from the pandemic could hinder this development as well as exacerbating existing socioeconomic problems for young Saudis,in particular employment issues.This paper considers to what extent the impact of the pandemic has changed mentalities and attitudes amongst young Saudis towards education,employment,and social interactions.In sum,the paper argues that because of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the Saudi socioeconomic environment,a renegotiation of the social contract will be necessary.

Flare of the silent pandemic in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic:Obstacles and opportunities

A noteworthy public health problem,antimicrobial resistance(AMR)has been impeded in many ways by the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.This narrative review discusses the two-sided impact of COVID-19 on the magnitude of AMR.The pandemic has put tremendous strain on healthcare systems,diverting resources,personnel,and attention away from AMR diagnosis and management toward COVID-19 diagnosis and contact tracking and tracing.AMR research has been severely hampered,and surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship(AMS)programs have been de-emphasized,delayed,or halted.Antibiotics,particularly broad-spectrum,were prescribed more frequently without diagnostic confirmation of bacterial infection than before the pandemic.Nonetheless,the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare systems in controlling infectious disease threats and raised awareness of the importance of infection prevention and control.Yet,the pandemic has created opportunities to capitalize on positive effects on AMR management.The review concludes that it is now more important than ever to focus on AMR and strengthen AMS programs to ensure appropriate antibiotic use and other AMR prevention measures in healthcare.We must ensure that one of the COVID-19 legacies is increased support for AMR research,diagnostic implementation,appropriate diagnostic stewardship,and the strengthening of our health systems.The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that prevention is better than cure.Countries will need to step up their efforts to combat AMR as a multidisciplinary community.We must prepare our public health systems to combat multiple threats at the same time.

Fragility and challenges of health systems in pandemic: lessons from India's second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The unprecedented healthcare demand due to sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has almost collapsed the health care systems especially in the developing world. Given the disastrous outbreak of COVID-19 second wave in India, the health system of country was virtually at the brink of collapse. Therefore, to identify the factors that resulted into breakdown and the challenges, Indian healthcare system faced during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, this paper analysed the health system challenges in India and the way forward in accordance with the six building blocks of world health organization (WHO). Applying integrated review approach, we found that the factors such as poor infrastructure, inadequate financing, lack of transparency and poor healthcare management resulted into the overstretching of healthcare system in India. Although health system in India faced these challenges from the very beginning, but early lessons from first wave should have been capitalized to avert the much deeper crisis in the second wave of the pandemic. To sum-up given the likely future challenges of pandemic, while healthcare should be prioritized with adequate financing, strong capacity-building measures and integration of public and private sectors in India. Likewise fiscal stimulus, risk assessment, data availability and building of human resources chain are other key factors to be strengthened for mitigating the future healthcare crisis in country.

Exploring the impact of coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on malaria and identifying the strategies for the containment of twin infections

The emergence of the coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)outbreak and its rapid transmission in different parts of the world has become a major public health challenge.Considering the consequences of malaria in the past,it is the need of the hour that in the process of containing COVID-19,we should not ignore the strategies aimed toward the prevention and control of malaria infection.There is no point in complaining about the developments that have already happened,the best strategy will be to consider the different facets of COVID-19 infection containment as opportunities and then act accordingly.In the process of fighting against the COVID-19 infection,we have ignored the delivery of essential services pertaining to malaria.This calls for the need to revisit the planned and implemented services for COVID-19 infection and use the existing mechanism for implementing the strategies required for malaria elimination.

Coronavirus Dynamics:The Undulating Playing Field

The goal of the paper is to conduct an exploratory review and analyses of the dynamics of the pandemic focusing on two themes:pandemic morbidity and vulnerable populations.Method:Review of literature,anecdotal evidence,and reports on the morbidity of COVID-19;including scope of its devastating effects in selected countries.Findings:The devastating effects of the coronavirus are felt across different vulnerable populations.These include the elderly,front line workers,marginalized communities,visible minorities,and more.Inadequate and sometimes conflicting remarks by“experts”have only contributed in exacerbating the confusion in the general population.However,compassion and empathy from different communities have had positive effects on mitigating some of the health outcomes like mental health and other health-related effects of the pandemic.Institutional support needs to be strengthened,especially with regard to individual risks and supply chain coordination:personal protection equipment(PPE),masks,swabs,reagents,etc.The challenge in Africa is especially daunting,because of limited and inadequate financial resources and infrastructure,as confirmed by the health budget allocations as a percentage of their respective GDP(gross domestic product).Discussion:The effects of the COVID-19 are producing unprecedented and catastrophic outcomes in many countries.These have been exacerbated by the level of unpreparedness and inadequate degrees of prevention and intervention strategies.With a few exceptions,the common and current intervention approach is driven by many unknowns including compilation of relevant reliable and compelling data sets.Vulnerable communities continue to suffer most:a situation that is highlighted in this essay as one attempt to remind institutions of their duty to provide appropriate support,including compassion and empathy to these populations.The repercussions of no or inadequate action are numerous,significant,and mind-boggling with unpredictable future outcomes and possible dire consequences.The continuous carnage caused by COVID-19 is a wake-up call reminding all stakeholders(public and private institutions)that once again the inequality infiltrating vulnerable populations needs to be effectively addressed with emphasis on affordability,improved quality of life,and an inclusive long-term strategic plan.Ubiquitous and inadequate supply chain coordination mechanisms have been a major deterrent towards mitigating the effects of this coronavirus pandemic.

Modeling the COVID-19 Pandemic Dynamics in Iran and China

The epidemic outbreak COVID-19 was rst detected in the Wuhan city of China and then spread worldwide.It is of great interest to the researchers for its high rate of infection spread and its signicant number of fatalities.A detailed scientic analysis of this phenomenon is yet to come.However,it is of interest of governments and other responsible institutions to have the right facts and gures to take every possible necessary action such as an arrangement of the appropriate quarantine activities,estimation of the required number of places in hospitals,assessment of the level of personal protection,and calculating the rate of isolation of infected persons,among others.In this article,we compare the COVID-19 pandemic dynamics between the two most affected Asian countries Iran and China's Mainland.We provide a convenient method of data comparison that can be helpful for both governmental and private organizations to arrange the appropriate quarantine activities.Furthermore,a statistical model is suggested to provide the best characterization of the COVID-19 daily deaths data of Iran and China.By analyzing daily death events,we observed that the proposed model provides a better description of the COVID-19 events,and therefore,can be used as a good candidate model for predicting them.

Readmission rates and outcomes in adults with and without COVID-19 following inpatient chemotherapy admission:A nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has received considerable attention in the scientific community due to its impact on healthcare systems and various diseases.However,little focus has been given to its effect on cancer treatment.AIM To determine the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients’care.METHODS A retrospective review of a Nationwide Readmission Database(NRD)was conducted to analyze hospitalization patterns of patients receiving inpatient chemotherapy(IPCT)during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.Two cohorts were defined based on readmission within 30 d and 90 d.Demographic information,readmission rates,hospital-specific variables,length of hospital stay(LOS),and treatment costs were analyzed.Comorbidities were assessed using the Elixhauser comorbidity index.Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of readmission.Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata■Version 16 software.As the NRD data is anonymous and cannot be used to identify patients,institutional review board approval was not required for this study.RESULTS A total of 87755 hospitalizations for IPCT were identified during the pandemic.Among the 30-day index admission cohort,55005 patients were included,with 32903 readmissions observed,resulting in a readmission rate of 59.8%.For the 90-day index admission cohort,33142 patients were included,with 24503 readmissions observed,leading to a readmission rate of 73.93%.The most common causes of readmission included encounters with chemotherapy(66.7%),neutropenia(4.36%),and sepsis(3.3%).Comorbidities were significantly higher among readmitted hospitalizations compared to index hospitalizations in both readmission cohorts.The total cost of readmission for both cohorts amounted to 1193000000.00 dollars.Major predictors of 30-day readmission included peripheral vascular disorders[Hazard ratio(HR)=1.09,P<0.05],paralysis(HR=1.26,P<0.001),and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome(HR=1.14,P=0.03).Predictors of 90-day readmission included lymphoma(HR=1.14,P<0.01),paralysis(HR=1.21,P=0.02),and peripheral vascular disorders(HR=1.15,P<0.01).CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the management of patients undergoing IPCT.These findings highlight the urgent need for a more strategic approach to the care of patients receiving IPCT during pandemics.

Structure Preserving Algorithm for Fractional Order Mathematical Model of COVID-19

In this article,a brief biological structure and some basic properties of COVID-19 are described.A classical integer order model is modified and converted into a fractional order model withξas order of the fractional derivative.Moreover,a valued structure preserving the numerical design,coined as Grunwald–Letnikov non-standard finite difference scheme,is developed for the fractional COVID-19 model.Taking into account the importance of the positivity and boundedness of the state variables,some productive results have been proved to ensure these essential features.Stability of the model at a corona free and a corona existing equilibrium points is investigated on the basis of Eigen values.The Routh–Hurwitz criterion is applied for the local stability analysis.An appropriate example with fitted and estimated set of parametric values is presented for the simulations.Graphical solutions are displayed for the chosen values ofξ(fractional order of the derivatives).The role of quarantined policy is also determined gradually to highlight its significance and relevancy in controlling infectious diseases.In the end,outcomes of the study are presented.

Showcase to Illustrate How the Web-Server iSulf_Wide-PseAAC Is Working

Current coronavirus pandemic has endangered the entire mankind life. The reported cas-es are increasing exponentially. Information of protein post-translational modification (PTM) can provide useful clues to develop antiviral drugs. According to our recent works, the PTM prediction can be significantly improved by widening the samples of training da-taset. Based on such an idea, a new predictor called “iSulf_Wide-PseAAC” has been de-veloped. Its accuracy is overwhelmingly higher than its counterparts. To maximize the convenience for most experimental scientists, a user-friendly web-server for the new pre-dictor has been established at http://121.36.221.79/Isulf_Pse/, which will become a very useful tool for fighting pandemic coronavirus and save the mankind of this planet.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on semen quality in male partners of infertile couples: a hospitalbased observational study

The effects of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic on male fertility have received considerable attention because human testes contain high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors,through which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)can enter.Early studies showed decreases in semen quality during and after recovery from COVID-19.However,no semen quality studies have examined the effects of widespread subclinical and mild disease,as well as changes in lifestyle,psychosocial behavior,intake of dietary supplements,and stress.This cross-sectional study compared semen quality parameters in male partners of infertile couples between men who underwent semen analysis before the COVID-19 pandemic(prepandemic group)and men who underwent semen analysis during the pandemic period(pandemic group);the analysis sought to clarify the overall effects of the pandemic.No participants in the pandemic group had experienced clinically overt disease.Among the 239 participants,mean body weight(P=0.001),mean body mass index(P<0.001),median sperm concentration(P=0.014),total sperm count(P=0.006),and total percentages of motile(P=0.013)and abnormal cells(P<0.001)were significantly greater in the pandemic group(n=137)than those in the prepandemic group(n=102).Among abnormal cells,the percentages of cells with excess residual cytoplasm(P<0.001),head defects(P<0.001),and tail defects(P=0.015)were significantly greater in the pandemic group than those in the prepandemic group.With the exception of morphology,the overall semenogram results were better in the pandemic group than those in the prepandemic group.

Use of donor-specific red blood cell transfusions for patients undergoing liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background:Increased risks have been found for patients undergoing liver transplantation due to the blood supply shortage following the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Hence,exploring a method to alleviate this dilemma is urgent.This phase I,nonrandomized,prospective trial aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using donor-specific red blood cell transfusion(DRBCT)as an urgent measurement to alleviate the blood supply shortage in deceased donor liver transplantation(DDLT).Methods:The outcomes of 26 patients who received DRBCT and 37 patients in the control group who only received 3rd party packed red blood cells(pRBCs)transfusion between May 2020 and January 2021 were compared.Results:Patients receiving DRBCT did not develop transfusion-related complications,and the incidence of postoperative infection was similar to that in the control group(23.1%vs.18.9%,P=0.688).Because the patients received the red blood cells from organ donors,the median volume of intraoperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion from blood bank was 4.0 U(IQR 1.1-8.0 U)in the DRBCT group,which is significantly lower than that(7.5 U,IQR 4.0-10.0 U)in the control group(P=0.018).The peak aspartate aminotransferase(AST)level was significantly lower in the DRBCT group than in the control group(P=0.008)and so were the AST levels in the first two days after the operation(P=0.006 and P=0.033).Conclusions:DRBCT is a safe and effective procedure to lower the need for blood supply and is associated with a reduction in AST levels after transplantation.DRBCT is beneficial to patients receiving life-saving transplantation without sufficient blood supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How different types of financial service providers support small- and mediumenterprises under the impact of COVID-19 pandemic: From the perspective of expectancy theory

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)pandemic has significantly impacted several aspects of the society and the economy.A problem that needs prompt attention in this situation is the increasing difficulties faced by small-and mediumsized enterprises(SMEs)in raising capital,which has aroused great concern from multiple stakeholders such as public administrations and regulators.As the major supply of capital,financial service providers(FSPs)play a critical role in financing SMEs.However,how FSPs deal with SME financing during shocks has not yet been fully researched.Accordingly,in this study,a theoretical framework based on expectancy theory is proposed to explore the expected strategic adjustments of FSPs in financing SMEs.Specifically,this study investigates 272 FSPs in China on their expectancy and attitude on financing to SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.Furthermore,this study has divided FSPs into three categories:commercial banks,non-bank financial institutions,and credit-enhanced FSPs.Differences among these categories are compared and analyzed.