University Teaching Research Articles

Academia’s engagement with Sustainable Development Goals: status quo and barriers at Great Zimbabwe University

PurposeThis study aims to examine academic staff’s engagement with sustainable development goals (SDGs) in higher education institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe triangulation, convergence model of the mixed methods research design was adopted as the strategy for inquiry. A total of 56 questionnaires and 25 interviews were used to collect the data, and this was buttressed by document review and use of secondary data obtained from Scival.FindingsThe results show moderate levels of engagement of academic staff with the SDGs. However, SDGs familiarisation is not correlated with the rate of localisation. The lack of funding deflated political will by university management, demotivated academia and shrinking government support are the leading impediments to SDGs localisation.Research limitations/implicationsThe results could be improved by using a larger sample size equally distributed across disciplines. Triangulation of academics’ views with those of students and non-academic staff could have improved the understanding of other dynamics involved in the localisation of SDGs by university teaching staff.Practical implicationsThe results point towards the need for a university-based framework that interweaves national, institutional, thematic, structural and personal aspects into the SDGs implementation matrix. The underlying determinants of successful localisation of SDGs by academia need to be addressed through a bottom-up approach.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first attempt in Zimbabwe to exclusively look at University teaching staff’s engagement with SDGs.

Metabolic syndrome in personnel of TUMS☆ and its association with types of occupations: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) causes an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Hospital staff as an influential segment of the population are at risk of developing MetS. This study aimed to determine the occupational distribution of MetS in hospital staff and to examine the association between the type of occupation and the likelihood of developing MetS. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study we recruited 3128 personnel of TUMS, including healthcare workers, office workers and supportive workers of Tehran's University Teaching Hospitals during 2020–2022. Demographic, anthropometric indices and laboratory tests were recorded. MetS was determined using three definitions including ATP III recommendations, IDF and regional IDF criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26. ResultsMetS was observed in 641 (20.5%) subjects according to ATP III recommendations, 923 (29.5%) based on IDF and 713 (22.8%) using regional IDF criteria. Using regional IDF criteria, age, gender and occupational status were associated with the MetS occurrence (all p < 0.0001). Adjusting for the age and gender of participants, healthcare workers were less likely to develop MetS compared to both office workers (OR = 0.66, 95%CI for OR: 0.55–0.80, p < 0.0001) and supportive workers (OR = 0.72, 95%CI for OR: 0.58–0.90, p = .003). However, office workers and supportive workers did not differ significantly regarding this parameter (p = .44). ConclusionRegardless of the MetS definition criteria, the findings indicated an alarming MetS prevalence, particularly among supportive workers and office workers. Considering the significant role of hospital staff in patients’ health promotion, effective management is essential.

Tuberculin Skin Test Reactivity among Health Care Workers in the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba South-east Nigeria

Background Tuberculosis is one of the infections targeted for eradication and is still under surveillance. Hospital workers in Nigeria take little or no precautions against tuberculosis while attending to patients. Objectives This research aimed to study the prevalence of the reactivity of positive Tuberculin Skin Tests among healthcare workers in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital. Methods Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained from the participants. Two hundred and ten consented participants were recruited for this study, while 185 contributed till the end. The Tuberculin Skin Test was conducted following the standard operating procedures. The chi-square test was used to compare the variable at a significant level of P &lt; 0.05. Of those who received a BGC vaccine &lt; 3 years, 4.8% were excluded from the analyses. Results Mean ± SD of participants’ age was approximately 30 ± 8 years. Participants comprised 87 (47%) males and 98 (53%) females. The modal age group was 21-25 years. Most participants were clinical medical students, 93(50.3%), while doctors, 7 (3.8%), were second to least. The prevalence of positive reactivity to the Tuberculin Skin Test was 29.9%. There was no significant difference observed regarding sexes and positive reactivity. A significant difference was found in reactivity ≥ 10 mm between those who didn’t receive BCG and those who received BCG vaccine ≥ 10 years before the study. Conclusion Healthcare workers can be potential active TB patients and reservoirs. We recommend highly sensitive and specific periodic TB screening, prophylactic treatment, and re-vaccination of Health Care Workers in Nigeria.

Assessment of Factors Associated with Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV Patients at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital in Ishaka, Uganda

HIV has increasingly become a chronic, manageable disease due to the introduction of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs). For the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, a high level of adherence is required. This study therefore seeks to assess the adherence level and the influence of its determinants in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy at the Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIUTH) HIV clinic in Ishaka, Uganda. Quantitative cross-section study approach was conducted to assess the factors associated with adherence to a-ntiretroviral therapy among HIV patients at KIUTH in Ishaka, Uganda. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in 150 respondents in this study. The qualitative data collected was statistically analysed and documented using Microsoft Excel and Word version 2019, which were then analyzed. The analysed data was presented in the form of tables and graphs, which formed the basis for discussion and conclusion. Of a total of 150 clients interviewed, equal proportions of 26% were in the age groups of 40–49 and 50–59 years, with a mean age of 46 years. The majority (65%) were female, with most (45%) being Anglicans, followed by Catholics (32%), Muslims (14%), and other religions (9%). Nearly half (45.1%) of the respondents were married. About 7% had tertiary education, while 37% had completed the ordinary level of high school. Nearly half (47%) knew the name of the ART they were taking, while 17% did not. Less than a third (26.7%) did not know the name of the ART drug they were taking. A large proportion (93%) stated that ART prevents mother-to-child transmission of infection, while 7% reported that they did not know. Nearly all (96%) respondents knew HIV could be controlled by ART. The majority (87%) stated that taking ART prevents disease progression, and 63% opined that missing ART drugs can lead to transmission of the disease. Overall, adherence to ART was 39% while non-adherence was 61%. In conclusion, the study discovered a high degree of awareness but a low level of adherence to ART among patients living with HIV. Forgetfulness, financial level, employment status, and knowledge of the benefits of the intervention are all important factors in nonadherence among some HIV patients. As a result, ART clinics should increase the level of education provided to customers to encourage patients to take complete responsibility for their health status. Keywords: Adherence, Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV, AIDS

Exploring Latin American Organizational Social Work (OSW): a primary analysis of the conceptual, epistemic and methodological bases of OST in Latin American schools of social work

ABSTRACT Despite the prevalence of social workers working in the organizational field, there is no consensus in the literature on what Organizational Social Work (OSW) is and how it is understood from a Latin American perspective. This greatly hinders undergraduate and graduate education in the area and the training of new professionals. The objective of this article is to identify the theoretical, conceptual, epistemic, and methodological bases underlying the practice and teaching of OSW in Latin America, and to reveal the challenges and shortcomings present in teaching. A grounded theory approach was used to conduct 12 in-depth interviews with social workers to explore their definitions of OSW from an academic perspective. The results indicate that OSW taught in universities does not have a precise definition, which is linked to deficits in the available literature. OSW is an interdisciplinary field that arises from practice rather than theory, and its great challenge is the establishment of research and structured academic education.

Reform and Development of English Teaching in Colleges and Universities with the Integration of ChatGPT Technology

As an artificial intelligence-powered language generation model based on natural language processing, ChatGPT, like other artificial intelligence technologies, possesses super real-time dialogue capabilities and is considered an innovative and intelligent auxiliary teaching tool in the field of language learning. This article first analyzes the current state of development of artificial intelligence technologies such as ChatGPT. Secondly, it examines the challenges encountered in the reform and development of English teaching in colleges and universities in China. Lastly, it summarizes the applications and recommendations for using ChatGPT technology in college-level English teaching.

Discourse differences between international teaching assistants and university registers: a quantitative corpus approach

Adopting a multidimensional analysis framework, the purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of international teaching assistants’ (ITAs) instructional language use by investigating co-occurring patterns of their linguistic features and to evaluate the degree to which the discourse features elicited by ITA assessment correspond to those of the target language actually used in university settings. Under these purposes, the effects of ITAs’ English proficiency levels, gender, and disciplines on these discourse features are also examined. The data come from 186 prospective ITAs’ mock-teaching presentations in ITA assessment at a large research university. The presentations were transcribed, proofread, and built into an ITA corpus consisting of over 247,000 words, and over ninety linguistic features were annotated. Based on the four dimensions identified from T2K-SWAL, the discourse features of ITA mock-teaching were found to differ from those of university registers (e.g., classroom teaching) in manifold ways. ITAs’ discourse features also varied by proficiency levels, gender, and disciplines. The study provides implications of the findings and concludes with discussing limitations and directions for future studies.

Epigenetic differences in the tumor suppressor genes MLH1 and p16INK4a between Nepalese and Swedish patients with colorectal cancer

Abstract Objectives Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancer types worldwide, exhibiting significant variance in incidence rates across different ethnicities and geographical regions. Notably, there is a rising incidence of CRC among younger adults, particularly evident in advanced stages, with a more pronounced trend observed in developing nations. Epigenetic alterations potentially play a role in the early onset of CRC and could elucidate interpopulation disparities. This study aimed to examine DNA methylation levels in the tumor suppressor genes MLH1 and p16INK4a, comparing Nepalese and Swedish patients with CRC. Methods Patients who underwent CRC surgery at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal (n=39), and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden (n=39) were included. Demographic and clinicopathological data were analyzed, and pyrosequencing was employed to determine methylation levels in the MLH1 promoter region and the first exon of p16INK4a in tumor tissues and adjacent mucosa located 10 cm from the tumor site. Subsequently, methylation status was compared between Nepalese and Swedish patients and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Results Nepalese and Swedish patients displayed equal levels of MLH1 and p16INK4a methylation in tumors, but Nepalese patients exhibited a significantly higher level of MLH1 methylation in mucosa compared to Swedish patients (p=0.0008). Moreover, a greater proportion of Nepalese patients showed MLH1 methylation in mucosa compared to Swedish patients (31 vs. 2.6 %). Aberrant methylation of p16INK4a was also observed in the mucosa of Nepalese patients, characterized by high methylation at specific sites rather than uniform methylation across CpG sites. There were no significant differences in methylation levels based on tumor location among Nepalese patients, whereas Swedish patients exhibited higher methylation in right- compared to left-sided colon tumors. Swedish patients showed an increase in p16INK4a methylation in tumors with advancing age. Conclusions Nepalese and Swedish patients displayed equal levels of MLH1 and p16INK4a methylation in tumors. In contrast, Nepalese patients had a higher level of MLH1 methylation as well as aberrant methylation of p16INK4a in mucosa compared to Swedish patients. These epigenetic differences may be linked to environmental and lifestyle factors. Ongoing research will further explore whether hypermethylation in the mucosa of Nepalese patients is associated with tumorigenesis and its potential utility in screening high-risk patients or predicting recurrence.

Transoral snare removal of subepiglottic cysts.

The objective of this demonstration was to describe and simulate a surgical technique for removing subepiglottic cysts in horses via an oral approach under endoscopic guidance using a cadaver model for simulation and clinical data. The technique aims to provide a minimally invasive method for the removal of these cysts. 2 clinical case images from the Washington State University Teaching Hospital were used in the video. In a third horse euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study, the procedure was simulated after the head was frozen and transected transversally. Files from 2 horses were reviewed, and the relevant parts were selected. The horse head was set on a stand, and a simulated cyst was implanted under the mucosa, made of the fingertip from a glove filled with carboxymethyl cellulose gel, and sutured. The procedure was performed by one of the authors (CAR) and recorded. A bronchoesophageal grasping forceps and cautery snare were used to simulate a clinical situation in dorsal recumbency. The cyst was successfully removed as in the real procedure, and the demonstration was recorded for educational use. The review of the videos shows that the simulated procedure is also achievable in a real clinical environment. This technique provides a minimally invasive method for the removal of subepiglottic cysts in horses. The demonstration of this procedure is crucial for the training of surgeons, as it allows the visualization of the procedure in a controlled setting, free from the complications of real clinical situations.

"I feel like I'm changing people's lives, even if it's just two hours at a time": Understanding contingent instructors' emotion management in university teaching.

This article extends existing scholarship on contingent or temporary-contract university instructors' emotional agency by employing the Bolton's emotion management and Cottingham's emotional capital typologies in tandem. In interviews with 40 instructors from universities across Canada, participants described acquiring both primary and secondary emotional capital as an embodied psychosocial resource through past education, upbringing and culture, and knowledge and skills from previous work and training experiences respectively. They then deployed this capital through emotion management based in both social and organizational feeling rules in their capacity as professors. This allowed instructors to reinforce their own sense of purpose, authority and competence as instructors, and to establish fulfilling relationships with students through teaching and mentoring which they infused with personal meaning. However, instructors' agency was also curtailed to varying degrees, by both institutional attitudes around academic contingency and sexist, and in some cases, racist or otherwise patronizing attitudes from students. Despite this, instructors were often able to reaffirm their identities as instructors by using emotion management in self-affirming ways, such as by drawing on self-confidence gained through previous occupations and training, and facilitating cultural backgrounds shared with students through emotional management.

New features in Franck–Hertz experiment with argon: experiment and Monte Carlo simulation

In this work, a homemade apparatus was built to perform the Franck–Hertz experiment with argon. The lowest energy state and the higher energy state of argon can be excited by the Franck–Hertz experiment. The excitation energies of the argon atom are measured by using the setup. The obtained higher excitation energy of argon atoms is 13.73 ± 0.28 eV, for the mixture of higher energy states 3s 23p 53d and 3s 23p 54p. A plate capacitor model was constructed to simulate the inelastic collisions between electrons and argon atoms using the Monte Carlo method. The simulated current curve and electron energy distribution agrees with that of Franck–Hertz experiments, especially the features of higher excited state. The Monte Carlo simulation indicates the deformed electron energy distribution results from the change in excitation proportion of energy levels during the collisions of electrons and argon atoms. Moreover, the new features in Franck–Hertz curve are ascribed to the higher excitation states of argon atoms. The experimental setup has been applied to undergraduate physics experiment teaching in college. Students can perform the Franck–Hertz curve measurement of not only the lowest excited state, but also the higher excited states of argon. In addition, students can do the Monte Carlo simulations for the experimental Franck–Hertz curves and gain a better understanding of electron-argon atom collisions in the experiment. The new designed experiment will make students more familiar with the quantum behavior in atomic physics and quantum mechanics course.

Brain Imaging in New Onset Seizure of Children Living with HIV in Zambia

Background and PurposeThere are an estimated 1.5 million children living with HIV (CLHIV), most residing in sub-Saharan Africa. A common hospital presentation of CLHIV is the occurrence of seizure, for which imaging is helpful but is not routinely performed due to scarce resources. We present imaging findings and their association with clinical risk factors and outcomes in a cohort of Zambian CLHIV presenting with new-onset seizure. MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, participants were recruited at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia. Various clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained. Either CT or MRI, or both, were obtained during admission or shortly after discharge. If both studies were available, MRI data was used. Two neuroradiologists interpreted images using REDCap-based NeuroInterp, a tool which quantifies brain imaging findings. Age-dependent neuropsychological assessments were administered. Results19/39 (49%) children had a brain MRI, 16/39 (41%) had CT and 4/39 (10%) had both. Mean age was 6.8 years (SD = 4.8). Children with advanced HIV disease had higher odds of atrophy (OR 7.2 95% CI 1.1 to 48.3). Focal abnormalities were less likely in children receiving ART (OR 0.22 95% CI 0.05 to 1.0). Children with neurocognitive impairment were more likely to have atrophy (OR 8.4 95% CI 1.3 to 55.4) and less likely to have focal abnormalities (OR 0.2 95% CI 0.03 to 0.9). ConclusionFocal brain abnormalities on MRI were less likely in CLHIV on ART. Brain atrophy was the most common imaging abnormality, which was linked to severe neurocognitive impairment.

Brain Imaging in New Onset Seizure of Children Living with HIV in Zambia

Background and PurposeThere are an estimated 1.5 million children living with HIV (CLHIV), most residing in sub-Saharan Africa. A common hospital presentation of CLHIV is the occurrence of seizure, for which imaging is helpful but is not routinely performed due to scarce resources. We present imaging findings and their association with clinical risk factors and outcomes in a cohort of Zambian CLHIV presenting with new-onset seizure. MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, participants were recruited at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia. Various clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained. Either CT or MRI, or both, were obtained during admission or shortly after discharge. If both studies were available, MRI data was used. Two neuroradiologists interpreted images using REDCap-based NeuroInterp, a tool which quantifies brain imaging findings. Age-dependent neuropsychological assessments were administered. Results19/39 (49%) children had a brain MRI, 16/39 (41%) had CT and 4/39 (10%) had both. Mean age was 6.8 years (SD = 4.8). Children with advanced HIV disease had higher odds of atrophy (OR 7.2 95% CI 1.1 to 48.3). Focal abnormalities were less likely in children receiving ART (OR 0.22 95% CI 0.05 to 1.0). Children with neurocognitive impairment were more likely to have atrophy (OR 8.4 95% CI 1.3 to 55.4) and less likely to have focal abnormalities (OR 0.2 95% CI 0.03 to 0.9). ConclusionFocal brain abnormalities on MRI were less likely in CLHIV on ART. Brain atrophy was the most common imaging abnormality, which was linked to severe neurocognitive impairment.

Prescriptions of generic antiretroviral drugs in three healthcare centers in the Paris area, France.

In a retrospective study conducted in three hospitals in Paris, generic antiretroviral accounted for 30.2% of all prescriptions. Tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) was the most prescribed generic ART (82.3% of generic prescriptions). Generic ART (gART) was more likely to be prescribed to women, to patients less than 50 years, and with recent HIV diagnosis less than 3 years. Physicians prescribed more gART if they were men, older than 55 years or worked at a university teaching hospital.

Probe motion during mid-trimester fetal anomaly scan in the clinical setting: A prospective observational study

IntroductionThis study aims to investigate probe motion during full mid-trimester anomaly scans. MethodsWe undertook a prospective, observational study of obstetric sonographers at a UK University Teaching Hospital. We collected prospectively full-length video recordings of routine second-trimester anomaly scans synchronized with probe trajectory tracking data during the scan. Videos were reviewed and trajectories analyzed using duration, path metrics (path length, velocity, acceleration, jerk, and volume) and angular metrics (spectral arc, angular area, angular velocity, angular acceleration, and angular jerk). These trajectories were then compared according to the participant level of expertise, fetal presentation, and patient BMI. ResultsA total of 17 anomaly scans were recorded. The average velocity of the probe was 12.9 ± 3.4 mm/s for the consultants versus 24.6 ± 5.7 mm/s for the fellows (p = 0.02), the average acceleration 170.4 ± 26.3 mm/s2 versus 328.9 ± 62.7 mm/s2 (p = 0.02), and the average jerk 7491.7 ± 1056.1 mm/s3 versus 14944.1 ± 3146.3 mm/s3 (p = 0.02), the working volume 9.106 ± 4.106 mm3 versus 29.106 ± 11.106 mm3 (p = 0.03), respectively. The angular metrics were not significantly different according to the participant level of expertise, the fetal presentation, or to patients BMI. ConclusionSome differences in the probe path metrics (velocity, acceleration, jerk and working volume) were noticed according to operator’s level.

Needlesticks and sharp injuries and their associated factors among health care workers of Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Needlesticks and sharp injuries and their associated factors among health care workers of Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Retrospective evaluation of plasma transfusions in dogs undergoing general anaesthesia: 85 cases (2017-2021)

ObjectiveTo describe the use of plasma transfusion in anaesthetised dogs, specifically the triggers for use, the population receiving plasma, reported adverse events, and human errors associated with transfusion. Study designRetrospective observational study. AnimalsA total of 85 client-owned dogs. MethodsA search of electronic transfusion and anaesthetic records at a university teaching hospital was performed to identify dogs receiving plasma during the study period (January 2017-June 2021). Data collected included signalment, surgical procedure, intraoperative triggers for transfusion, the type of plasma, rate of transfusion and the presence of transfusion reactions, human errors, or deviation from transfusion guidelines. ResultsDuring this period 85 dogs received plasma. Sepsis was diagnosed in 49/85 (58%) dogs, with 42/85 (49%) animals undergoing surgery for septic peritonitis. Peri-anaesthetic hypotension contributed to the decision to administer plasma in 67/85 (79%) of dogs. In 33/85 (39%) of dogs, hypotension was the only reason for transfusion, while 31/85 (36%) had other influencing factors, most commonly hypoproteinaemia. Fresh frozen plasma was administered in 95% of cases. Only 31% of transfusions were started at a slower ‘test dose’ rate and 79% of dogs received boluses of plasma. No definite, probable or possible transfusion reactions were identified using current veterinary guidelines. Conclusion and clinical relevancePlasma transfusions were commonly administered to dogs presenting with sepsis for haemodynamic optimisation. Clinicians often chose to bolus plasma instead of initiating transfusions at the recommended initial slow starting rate. No transfusion reactions were identified; however, some reactions may have been masked by the effects of general anaesthesia and/or have been difficult to recognise in this critically ill canine population.

Knowledge and Utilization of Post-Abortion Care Services among Women of Reproductive Age in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt Nigeria

The study assessed the knowledge and utilization of post abortion care services among women of reproductive age (15–49years) in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. It was designed to determine women’s understanding of post-abortion care, the extent to which women use post abortion care services and identify reasons for non-use of post abortion care services among women of reproductive age. A simple sampling technique involving purposive sampling was used to randomly elicit 114 respondents. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency, means, percentages and regression analysis. The result showed that the respondents had an average age of 28years, 2 times deliveries and one abortion/miscarriage done averagely on the 11th-12th week. 50% were married, 43% were single, 91.2% were Christians and 74.6% have attended higher institution. The results showed the respondents had good understanding of post-abortion care. About 63.2% of the women were currently preventing pregnancy by regularly using barrier method e.g., Condom (1st in ranking/usage), Injectable (2nd), Pills (3rd) and Natural method (4th). The results also showed that the health facility’s distance (farness) from home, the cost of obtaining post abortion care services in the health facility, fear that some post abortion care services such as family planning injections can cause infertility, and healthcare providers’ attitude were the reasons for non-use of post-abortion care. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed a highly significant difference of the effect of education on women’s knowledge of post-abortion care. The result of the multiple regression analysis however, showed no significant difference of the effect of occupation on the use of post-abortion care services. The study recommended that awareness programs on sex education/family planning and post-abortion care among women should be intensified.

Evaluation of SARS-Cov-2 neutralizing antibody among Sinopharm Vero Cell (BBIBP-CorV) vaccinated medical students.

Information regarding seropositivity and vaccine efficacy among medical students is scarce. This study aims to detect the status of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies among the Sinopharm's Vero Cell (BBIBP-CorV) vaccinated medical students. A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out among medical students of Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal from March through August 2022. The level of SARS-CoV-2 serum- neutralizing IgG antibody was measured and its relation with participants' age and sex, duration of vaccination, and any comorbid condition was determined. A total of 110 medical students were included in the final analysis, the majority being females (65.5%) and the mean age is 23.1 ± 3.2years. Most of the students (96.4%) had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Among the 29 (26.36%) students who received a booster dose, the positivity rate was 100%. The mean IgG levels were 9.57 ± 9.58μg/ml and 2.91 ± 2.47μg/ml among students receiving an additional booster dose and among those not receiving it, respectively. In the cohort receiving a booster dose of the vaccine, the average value of neutralizing IgG antibodies was high. In contrast, the ones not receiving it, the titers were low and showed a declining trend. Though the dose strategy of the Sinopharm vaccine is effective, booster vaccination may be an important strategy to ensure protection among medical students, who are at high risk of COVID-19 due to constant patient exposure during their training. Further studies should assess vaccine efficacy among individuals who received other vaccines as well.

Discussion on the Application of Flipped Classroom in English Teaching in Higher Vocational Colleges

With the rapid development of internet technology, educational technology is also advancing continuously. The flipped classroom, as a new teaching model, has demonstrated unique advantages in higher vocational English teaching. This article aims to explore the application effects of the flipped classroom in higher vocational English teaching and its impact on students' learning motivation and achievement. It elaborates on the important role of the flipped classroom in higher vocational English teaching and analyzes the current status of its application in practical English teaching in higher vocational education. In light of the existing problems, effective solutions are proposed. The research results show that the flipped classroom model can significantly improve students' interest in English learning and their academic performance, while also enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.