Higher order risk attitudes in the time of COVID-19: an experimental study

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents a large increase in background risk for individuals. Like the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme events (e.g. financial downturns, natural disasters, and war) have been shown to change attitudes towards risk. Using a risk apportionment approach, we examine whether risk aversion as well as higher order risk attitudes (HORAs) (prudence and temperance) have changed during COVID-19. This methodology allows us to measure model-free HORAs. We include prudence and temperance as higher order measures, as these two have been largely understudied under extreme events but are determinants of decisions related to the health and financial domains. Once we account for socio-demographic characteristics, we find an overall increase in risk aversion during COVID-19. We also find similar results using a hypothetical survey question which measures willingness to take risks. We do not find changes in prudence and temperance using the risk apportionment methodology. © 2022 Oxford University Press.

Telemedicine consultation for emergency patients' attention: a clinical experience from a high complex university hospital from Latin America.

INTRODUCTION: As a result of the new coronavirus pandemic, a highly complex academic hospital in Latin America implemented a telemedicine service for the care of obstetric, pediatric, and adult patients. In 2020, regional emergency services collapsed due to the increase in demand for care, generating the need to open expansion services and seek strategies to provide timely care to consulting patients. OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively describe the clinical experience of patients who consulted the emergency department via telemedicine across a videoconference tool using digital platforms. METHODS: A descriptive study with retrospective data collection was conducted to describe the implementation of the teleconsultation care model for patients. We constructed the clinical process indicators to evaluate the model. RESULTS: A total of 4652 teleconsultations were registered. Telemedicine consultation was above 50% in the country and department and above 90% in Cali city. The average waiting time for care was estimated to be 1:59:52 h. A total of 275 patients were transferred to the emergency room after consultation. The principal reasons for consultation in the institutional telemedicine program were respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Teleconsultations related to SARS-COV 2 infections reported 3775 patients (3127 with unidentified virus and 648 with the identified virus). CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine is a tool that provides support and guidance to patients who consult emergency departments, reducing barriers to access health care and decreasing emergency department collapse.

As Time goes by: A Longitudinal Study on the Mental Health of Argentinians during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 mitigation measures such as lockdown and social distancing could have a negative impact on mental health. Understanding their impact is essential to minimize adverse effects on individuals, families, and communities. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation in the Argentinian population over time. An online survey evaluating anxiety and depression symptoms, positive affect, and negative affect, was completed by 3,833 people at three different time points: immediately after the lockdown began, 12–15 days after the first assessment, and after 47–51 days. Various socio-demographic factors were considered. A series of mixed repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed, with results showing significant increases over time (with small effect sizes) in anxiety, depression, negative affect, and a decrease in positive affect. Some socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, number of children, and educational level differentially affected these changes. These results suggest that mental health and quality of life were negatively affected, making it essential to monitor emotional distress and other mental health problems in the population and encourage the implementation of support and containment devices to cope with these adverse effects. © 2023, Associação Brasileira de Psicologia.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with myasthenia gravis: A survey of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America MG patient registry.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among the myasthenia gravis (MG) population are incompletely understood. This study aimed to characterize the behavior of MG patients during the pandemic and to examine risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection. METHODS: A "COVID-19 Survey" was sent to MG Patient Registry participants in the summer of 2020 (CSS20) and winter of 2021 (CWS21). Survey results were summarized descriptively. Demographics, disease characteristics, medication use, and survey results were compared between those reporting COVID-19 diagnosis (COVID), COVID-19 like symptoms without diagnosis (COVID-Like), and asymptomatic participants. RESULTS: A total of 454 and 665 participants completed the CSS20 and CWS21 surveys respectively; 326 participants completed both. Most continued follow-up visits and MG treatments. The frequency of COVID-like symptoms was similar between CSS20 and CWS21, while COVID-19 exposure (6% vs. 27%), COVID-19 testing among symptomatic individuals (35% vs. 78%), and COVID-19 diagnosis (0.2% vs. 6%) were higher in the CWS21. Cough, fever, fatigue, myalgia, anosmia/ageusia, and hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were more frequent in the COVID compared to the COVID-Like group. COVID-19 exposure (odds ratio [OR] 7.88), number of people in the household (OR 1.31), and report of MG exacerbation before the pandemic (OR 2.6) were independently associated with COVID-19 infection. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 affected MG patients increasingly through the early pandemic. While face-to-face contact with a COVID-19 infected individual was an obvious risk factor, MG patients who had more people in the household and unstable disease were at elevated risk for COVID-19 infection.

Nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 in an internal medicine ward: Probable airborne transmission.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the increasing evidence supporting the importance of airborne transmission in SARS-CoV-2 infection, it has not been considered relevant in the vast majority of reported nosocomial outbreaks of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection whose features suggest that aerosol transmission had an important role. METHODS: This is a descriptive analysis of a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an internal medicine ward that occurred in December 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: From December 5 to December 17, 21 patients and 44 healthcare workers (HCWs) developed a nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifty-one of the 65 cases (78.5%) were diagnosed between December 6 and 9. The attack rate in patients was 80.8%. Among HCWs, the attack rate was higher in those who had worked at least one full working day in the ward (56.3%) than in those who had occasionally been in the ward (25.8%; p = 0.005). Three days before the first positive case was detected, two extractor fans were found to be defective, affecting the ventilation of three rooms. Sixteen cases were asymptomatic, 48 cases had non-severe symptoms, and 2 cases required admission to the intensive care unit. All patients eventually recovered. CONCLUSION: The high attack rate, the explosive nature of the outbreak, and the coincidence in time with the breakdown in air extractors in some rooms of the ward suggest that airborne transmission played a key role in the development of the outbreak.

Entropy-Based Informational Study of the COVID-19 Series of Data

Since the appearance in China of the first cases, the entire world has been deeply affected by the flagellum of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. There have been many mathematical approaches trying to characterize the data collected about this serious issue. One of the most important aspects for attacking a problem is knowing what information is really available. We investigate here the information contained in the COVID-19 data of infected and deceased people in all countries, using informational quantifiers such as entropy and statistical complexity. For the evaluation of these quantities, we use the Bandt-Pompe permutation methodology, as well as the wavelet transform, to obtain the corresponding probability distributions from the available series of data. The period analyzed covers from the appearance of the disease up to the massive use of anti-COVID vaccines.

An Umbrella Review With Meta-Analysis of Chest Computed Tomography for Diagnosis of COVID-19: Considerations for Trauma Patient Management.

Background: RT-PCR testing is the standard for diagnosis of COVID-19, although it has its suboptimal sensitivity. Chest computed tomography (CT) has been proposed as an additional tool with diagnostic value, and several reports from primary and secondary studies that assessed its diagnostic accuracy are already available. To inform recommendations and practice regarding the use of chest CT in the in the trauma setting, we sought to identify, appraise, and summarize the available evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of chest CT for diagnosis of COVID-19, and its application in emergency trauma surgery patients; overcoming limitations of previous reports regarding chest CT accuracy and discussing important considerations regarding its role in this setting. Methods: We conducted an umbrella review using Living Overview of Evidence platform for COVID-19, which performs regular automated searches in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and more than 30 other sources. The review was conducted following the JBI methodology for systematic reviews. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach for grading the certainty of the evidence is reported (registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, CRD42020198267). Results: Thirty studies that fulfilled selection criteria were included; 19 primary studies provided estimates of sensitivity (0.91, 95%CI = [0.88-0.93]) and specificity (0.73, 95%CI = [0.61; 0.82]) of chest CT for COVID-19. No correlation was found between sensitivities and specificities (ρ = 0.22, IC95% [-0.33; 0.66]). Diagnostic odds ratio was estimated at: DOR = 27.5, 95%CI (14.7; 48.5). Evidence for sensitivity estimates was graded as MODERATE, and for specificity estimates it was graded as LOW. Conclusion: The value of chest CT appears to be that of an additional screening tool that can easily detect PCR false negatives, which are reportedly highly frequent. Upon the absence of PCR testing and impossibility to perform RT-PCR in trauma patients, chest CT can serve as a substitute with increased value and easy implementation. Systematic Review Registration: [www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42020198267].

Single cell gene expression profiling of nasal ciliated cells reveals distinctive biological processes related to epigenetic mechanisms in patients with severe COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular processes associated with cellular regulatory programs in patients with COVID-19, including gene activation or repression mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. We hypothesized that a comprehensive gene expression profiling of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells might expand our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of severe COVID-19. METHODS: We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) profiling of ciliated cells (n = 12,725) from healthy controls (SARS-CoV-2 negative n = 13) and patients with mild/moderate (n = 13) and severe (n = 14) COVID-19. ScRNAseq data at the patient level were used to perform gene set and pathway enrichment analyses. We prioritized candidate miRNA-target interactions and epigenetic mechanisms. RESULTS: We found that mild/moderate COVID-19 compared to healthy controls had upregulation of gene expression signatures associated with mitochondrial function, misfolded proteins, and membrane permeability. In addition, we found that compared to mild/moderate disease, severe COVID-19 had downregulation of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA and histone H3K4 methylation and chromatin remodelling regulation. Furthermore, we found 11-ranked miRNAs that may explain miRNA-dependent regulation of histone methylation, some of which share seed sequences with SARS-CoV-2 miRNAs. CONCLUSION: Our results may provide novel insights into the epigenetic mechanisms mediating the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Bologna and COVID-19. Evidence about students' autonomy

In recent years, serious doubts have arisen in Spain as to whether student autonomy is really being promoted in university classrooms, as promoted by the European Higher Education Area. The situation experienced due to the lockdown of 2020 by COVID-19 presented us with an ideal scenario to find out to what extent university students are autonomous as well as how much autonomy is promoted by their professors. In this paper we find out the students' demands regarding to their learning process during lockdown and infer from them whether autonomous work really takes place in university classrooms. After analysing the data collected on a survey, the most frequently mentioned categories we identified are those referring to: continuing giving classes during lockdown, the professors' ability to adapt to the new situation and the fact of maintaining in contact, both for academic aspects (appropriate explanations and feedback) as well as for personal issues, with express reference to empathy. To a lesser extent, references are made to the fact of carrying out an assessment adapted to the circumstances and the appropriate use of ICT. After relating the categories identified in the survey, with the characteristics of autonomy-promoting teaching, we can see that very few students are demanding autonomy-promoting teaching, which leads us to deduce that the teaching staff do not promote it in their teaching practice.

Future Directions for Global Clinical Neurosurgical Training: Challenges and Opportunities.

OBJECTIVE: Expanded access to training opportunities is necessary to address 5 million essential neurosurgical cases not performed annually, nearly all in low- and middle-income countries. To target this critical neurosurgical workforce issue and advance positive collaborations, a summit (Global Neurosurgery 2019: A Practical Symposium) was designed to assemble stakeholders in global neurosurgical clinical education to discuss innovative platforms for clinical neurosurgery fellowships. METHODS: The Global Neurosurgery Education Summit was held in November 2021, with 30 presentations from directors and trainees in existing global neurosurgical clinical fellowships. Presenters were selected based on chain referral sampling from suggestions made primarily from young neurosurgeons in low- and middle-income countries. Presentations focused on the perspectives of hosts, local champions, and trainees on clinical global neurosurgery fellowships and virtual learning resources. This conference sought to identify factors for success in overcoming barriers to improving access, equity, throughput, and quality of clinical global neurosurgery fellowships. A preconference survey was disseminated to attendees. RESULTS: Presentations included in-country training courses, twinning programs, provision of surgical laboratories and resources, existing virtual educational resources, and virtual teaching technologies, with reference to their applicability to hybrid training fellowships. Virtual learning resources developed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and high-fidelity surgical simulators were presented, some for the first time to this audience. CONCLUSIONS: The summit provided a forum for discussion of challenges and opportunities for developing a collaborative consortium capable of designing a pilot program for efficient, sustainable, accessible, and affordable clinical neurosurgery fellowship models for the future.

Nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 in an internal medicine ward: Probable airborne transmission⋆ Brote nosocomial de COVID-19 en una planta de medicina interna: probable transmisión aérea

Background and objectives Despite the increasing evidence supporting the importance of airborne transmission in SARS-CoV-2 infection, it has not been considered relevant in the vast majority of reported nosocomial outbreaks of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection whose features suggest that aerosol transmission had an important role. Methods This is a descriptive analysis of a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an internal medicine ward that occurred in December 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Results From December 5 to December 17, 21 patients and 44 healthcare workers (HCWs) developed a nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifty-one of the 65 cases (78.5%) were diagnosed between December 6 and 9. The attack rate in patients was 80.8%. Among HCWs, the attack rate was higher in those who had worked at least one full working day in the ward (56.3%) than in those who had occasionally been in the ward (25.8%;p = 0.005). Three days before the first positive case was detected, two extractor fans were found to be defective, affecting the ventilation of three rooms. Sixteen cases were asymptomatic, 48 cases had non-severe symptoms, and 2 cases required admission to the intensive care unit. All patients eventually recovered. Conclusion The high attack rate, the explosive nature of the outbreak, and the coincidence in time with the breakdown in air extractors in some rooms of the ward suggest that airborne transmission played a key role in the development of the outbreak.

Prescription for COVID-19 by non-medical professionals during the pandemic in Colombia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the behavior of self-medication (SM). Given the massive release of misleading information during the pandemic, some pharmacies recommend drugs such as ivermectin, azithromycin, and hydroxychloroquine that are not useful for preventing or treating COVID-19 and could expose patients to unnecessary adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug-drug interactions (DDIs), disease masking, and antibiotic resistance. Rationale: SM with drugs advertised for COVID-19 can have consequences, and people should be aware of approved uses, potential contraindications, and ADRs. Thus, the aim of this study was to know the drug therapies including natural products and homeopathic drugs offered by Colombian pharmaceutical establishments for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, as well as the information provided on the safe use of the product. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional mystery shopping study was carried out to determine the pharmaceutical alternatives for the management of COVID-19 offered by pharmaceutical establishments (drugstores, pharmacies, homeopathic pharmacies, and nutritional supplements stores) in Colombia, and information related to the safe use of the product. The study included 482 pharmaceutical establishments from 16 Colombian departments. Data collection was done through telephone calls to each of the establishments following an interview protocol pretending to be a patient who presents symptoms related to COVID-19. Results: About 57.3% (276) of the establishments recommended a product for the treatment of COVID-19 infection, 66.6% (321) asked whether the caller had COVID-19 symptoms and what they are, and 44.2% (213) suggested taking a COVID-19 test. Of 59 drugs suggested by pharmacies, the most recommended were azithromycin, ivermectin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and ASA (aspirin). From the establishments that recommended a product, dosage was indicated in 85.5% (236) of the pharmaceutical establishments and 14.5% (40) of the establishments reported the most common adverse effects of this substance. About 9.4% (26) of the establishments reported possible interactions of the recommended drugs and substances with food, beverages, or supplements.Conclusion: Pharmaceutical establishments in Colombia seem to have significantly contributed to self-medication for COVID-19 in Colombia during the pandemic. This behavior is inappropriate, since the mild forms of the disease do not have a specific treatment. Plain Language Summary: Self-medication induced by pharmaceutical establishments in Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the behavior of self-medication (SM). Given the massive release of misleading information during the pandemic, some pharmacies recommend drugs such as ivermectin, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine among others, which are not useful for preventing or treating COVID-19 and could expose patients to unnecessary side effects and interactions with other medications. People should be aware of the approved and non-approved uses, and potential side effects of these drugs. Rationale: The aim of this study was to know the drugs, including natural products and homeopathic drugs, offered by Colombian pharmaceutical establishments for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, as well as the information provided on the safe use of the product. Methods: The study was done using the mystery shopping method, collecting data through telephone calls to each of the establishments by a trained individual pretending to be a patient with COVID-19 symptoms. The study included 482 pharmaceutical establishments from 16 Colombian departments. Results: Of 59 drugs suggested by pharmacies, the most recommended were azithromycin, ivermectin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. The recommended dose was indicated in 85.5% (236) of the pharmaceutical establishments, and 14.5% (40) of them reported the most common adverse effects of the recommended product. About 9.4% (26) of the establishments reported possible interactions of the recommended drugs and substances with food, beverages, or supplements. Conclusion: The majority of the pharmaceutical establishments included in the study promoted inadequate self-medication for COVID-19 in Colombia during the pandemic.

Higher order risk attitudes in the time of COVID-19: an experimental study

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents a large increase in background risk for individuals. Like the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme events (e.g. financial downturns, natural disasters, and war) have been shown to change attitudes towards risk. Using a risk apportionment approach, we examine whether risk aversion as well as higher order risk attitudes (HORAs) (prudence and temperance) have changed during COVID-19. This methodology allows us to measure model-free HORAs. We include prudence and temperance as higher order measures, as these two have been largely understudied under extreme events but are determinants of decisions related to the health and financial domains. Once we account for socio-demographic characteristics, we find an overall increase in risk aversion during COVID-19. We also find similar results using a hypothetical survey question which measures willingness to take risks. We do not find changes in prudence and temperance using the risk apportionment methodology.

Collapse and recovery of seafood wholesale prices in time of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread around the world, disrupting economies, societies and daily life. Early research anticipated significant negative impacts for the globalized seafood supply network. Here, we explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wholesale prices from five major seafood markets around the world. An anomalies analysis was used to establish a 5-year baseline price for each commodity. Daily price data from 2020 were compared to the baseline to identify collapses (>1.96 SE from baseline) and analyse collapse characteristics (timing, duration and magnitude). Non-uniform price collapses were observed across, and within, the markets analysed. Toyosu (Tokyo) Market experienced price collapses to 51% of commodities, Rungis (Paris) 36%, Mercamadrid (Madrid) 19%, Mercado La Nueva Viga (Mexico City) 35% and the Portland Fish Exchange (Portland, Maine) 32%. Collapse magnitude varied from 11% to 79% of the 5-year average price. Average collapse duration ranged from 13 to 24 weeks with some commodities (4%-22%) remaining collapsed at the end of 2020. For markets where volume data were available, collapses were also noted (59% of commodities in Toyosu, 10% in Mercamadrid and 19% in Portland Fish Exchange); in these cases, the volume collapse was more severe than the related price collapse. To better detect, anticipate and respond to future shocks, we recommend that relevant government agencies conduct comprehensive economic reviews of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the seafood supply chain, including the outcomes of emergency measures, short- and long-term implications of market volatility and identify areas of supply and labour vulnerabilities.

Design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro covalent inhibitors.

Severe diseases such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the previous SARS and MERS outbreaks, are the result of coronavirus infections and have demonstrated the urgent need for antiviral drugs to combat these deadly viruses. Due to its essential role in viral replication and function, 3CLpro (main coronaviruses cysteine-protease) has been identified as a promising target for the development of antiviral drugs. Previously reported SARS-CoV 3CLpro non-covalent inhibitors were used as a starting point for the development of covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. We report herein our efforts in the design and synthesis of submicromolar covalent inhibitors when the enzymatic activity of the viral protease was used as a screening platform.

Role of mHealth applications for emergency medical system activation in reducing mortality in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Prehospital care is an essential component in reducing mortality for patients presenting with emergency medical conditions. Prehospital systems tend to be underdeveloped or non-existent in these areas, with less than 1% of low-income and middle-income country (LMIC) populations served by an organised prehospital system. Mobile health apps for activation of Emergency Medical System (EMS) have been shown to decrease mortality, but there has yet to be a systematic review and meta-analysis performed to clarify the role that these apps play in reducing mortality in LMICs. The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile health apps for EMS activation versus traditional EMS dispatches in survival and transport time in patients with emergency medical conditions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The proposed systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs) will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness evidence. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and EBSCO will be searched from January 2005 to March 2021. The search results will be presented according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Primary outcomes will include mortality and transport time. Critical appraisal will be assessed using the JBI SUMARI Risk-of-Bias Tool for RCTs, and Risk-of-Bias In Non-Randomised Studies tool for NRCTs. A narrative synthesis will be conducted for all included studies. If sufficient data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. I2 statistics will be used to assess heterogeneity and identify their potential sources. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval will be required, as this review is based on already published data and does not involve interaction with human subjects. The plan for dissemination, however, is to publish the findings of the review in a peer-reviewed journal and present findings at high-level international conferences that engage the most pertinent stakeholders. Any amendments to this protocol will be documented in the final review. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021243041.

[Impact of asymptomatic maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on foetal growth]. / Impacto de la infección materna asintomática por SARS-CoV-2 sobre el crecimiento fetal.

Introduction: The impact of asymptomatic infection by SARs-CoV-2 on foetal growth has not been described. The purpose of our study is to determine whether there is an increased risk of foetal growth restriction in pregnancies in which asymptomatic or mild infection by SARS-CoV-2 has been detected. Material and methods: Retrospective case-control study with a subset of pregnant women with a small for gestational age foetus. Groups were established according to birth weight percentile. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined by positive antibodies obtained on admission to hospital for delivery. Results: No statistically significant differences between controls and cases were recorded in terms of positive IgG antibodies (11.5 vs. 8.8%). There were no premature births or significant differences in the date or type of delivery. Conclusions: Asymptomatic infection by SARs-CoV-2 during pregnancy does not seem to affect foetal growth.

A Framework for Simulating Ecosystem Effects in Data-Poor Small-Scale Fisheries Using Science-Based and Local Ecological Knowledge-Based Models

The constant demand for seafood products and the undeniable effects of fishing on marine ecosystems make it urgent to implement an ecosystem approach, even in data-poor scenarios such as small-scale fisheries. Understanding the impacts of fishing is essential for promoting management strategies that prevent irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. Thus, ecosystem quantitative science-based models have been frequently used to evaluate the effects of fishing, although fishers’ local ecological knowledge (LEK) can aid the implementation of qualitative models, particularly in data-poor conditions. Here, we present a framework for simulating and assessing the effects of fishing following two strategies: 1) for both types of models, we simulated species removal scenarios, and 2) for quantitative science-based models, we fitted time series to dynamically assessed impacts. The impacts were analyzed through ecological indicators commonly used for quantitative models, and because these indicators cannot be easily estimated for qualitative models, we propose the use of topological indicators in both types of models. The approach was applied to three case studies of small-scale finfish fisheries in northwestern Mexico. We found that the ecosystem response to species removal was different in each case study and that the target species can play an important role in ecosystems, but their removal does not generate abrupt changes in the ecosystem structure. The quantitative science-based models were able to reproduce the historical catch trends, which allowed us to reveal that changes in ecosystems appear to be mostly influenced by primary productivity rather than fishing effort. Furthermore, topological and ecological indicators showed similar trends in the quantitative models, which suggests that the former could be useful when data-poor conditions allow only qualitative models. This result confirms the relevance of the participation of fishers in generating qualitative models and their decisive role in the discussion of co-management strategies and risk scenarios in a better-informed manner.

Effects of small-group learning on the assessment of professional skills through a PBL activity

Working on a real project emphasizes an active learning environment such as that used in collaborative pedagogy, where students learn to resolve problems and improve their professional skills. Engineering programs are invested in improving learning by focusing on real hands-on experience. The crisis caused by COVID-19 will lead to a reduction in the number of enrollments in many university programs. Therefore, it is important to investigate how the dynamics of small groups will affect the active learning process. This study explores a hands-on learning activity in the context of a Web Map Service (WMS). It aims to analyze the improvement in professional skills of a group of Geomatics Engineering students with two approaches. Students from a university in Catalonia created a WMS as a team-based project. Meanwhile, in a university in Galicia, students on the same course and program conducted the same task but individually. Three independent surveys along the course helped to collect the students' opinions and assess their learning experience based on their project evaluations. The conclusion is clear: despite working with small learning groups, collaborative learning using a hands-on approach improves academic performance, increases motivation, and helps students acquire the necessary professional skills in their careers.