A Systematic Literature Review of the Use of Technology as an Emergency Preparedness Tool to Control and Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic

Various tools and strategies have been utilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to preexisting measures, novel mechanisms and methods have also been developed since the COVID-19 pandemic began to address several different needs worldwide. Technology, for example, has served as a unique and multifunctional tool to aid with controlling and containing the pandemic. While studies and reviews have been conducted to analyze specific types of technology, such as digital applications, a gap in the literature currently exists that fails to comprehensively understand and compare how multiple types of technology were implemented to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic literature review examined how several types of technology were utilized worldwide to help control and contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles were pulled from multiple databases, including CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, and PubMed. The findings from this systematic literature review contribute to understanding the multifaceted capabilities that digital and mobile applications, artificial intelligence, and geographic information systems have in addressing widespread infectious disease outbreaks and aiding with the future development of emergency preparedness plans and procedures

Influential Factors that Impact Individual Disaster Donations

Various factors influence and impact and individual’s willingness to donate to certain disaster relief efforts. Current research, however, fails to compare and analyze these various factors in a single study to determine which factor is the most influential. This study will examine the impact disaster type, impacted region, and social media have on influencing an individual’s willingness to donate to certain disaster relief efforts. Participants will take a survey that requires them to read through various mock disaster scenarios and answer questions about how willing they are to donate to each disaster. The study has not been fielded; however, it is expected the results will conclude impacted region will have the greatest influence on the participant’s willingness to donate. The findings of this study can be used to further understand disaster donations and aid disaster relief organizations in developing strategies to maximize the amount of funding they can receive

Mineral Densities of Hydroponically Grown and Soil Grown Kale

There are few studies that compare mineral densities of plants that are yielded from hydroponic systems to plants that are grown in soil. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in plant characteristics such as height, leaf count, wet weight, and dry weight when comparing kale grown in soil and in a hydroponics system. The study also analyzed if there are nutritional differences between the plants grown in the two mediums. The plant levels of the four key minerals, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, that are necessary for a healthy human diet were assessed to determine possible nutritional variations. Samples of the soil and water were taken to examine mineral quantities the kale plants might be taking from their growing medium. The findings from this study can be used at food distribution centers, such as food pantries, looking to provide the most nutritional foods to those facing food insecurity by using the most effective growth methods available