ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was suspected to trigger angioedema attacks, or cause more severe COVID-19 disease in patients with Hereditary angioedema (HAE). Our objective was to evaluate the severity of COVID-19 and its impact on disease control in patients with severe HAE in long-term prophylaxis(LTP) with subcutaneous C1-inhibitor( SC C1-INH). Method(s): We p erformed a retrospective s tudy of p atients w ith s evere course of HAE who maintained LTP with SC C1-INH during the pandemic. Date were collected under conditions of daily clinical practice. Patients were evaluated at least 2 times after switching to LTP with SC C1-INH. We analyzed COVID19 vaccine application and tolerance, COVID19 infection, disease control after COVID19 infection and the quality-of- life. Result(s): We evaluated 18 patients(12 female) who switched from LTP with IV C1-INH to LTP with SC C1 INH. Switching was followed by a significant decrease in the number of attacks, visits to the emergency department, and use of rescue dose of IV C1-INH or icatibant, as well as improved disease control (Angioedema Control Test). All patients were vaccinated against COVID19 (37 doses of mRNA vaccine and 4 doses of viral vector vaccine). Nor severe neither moderate adverse reactions were observed. 5 patients were infected with COVID19 (one 30 years-old female patient was infected twice) and had mild symptoms. None of the patients needed a hospital admission. Only one of the patients had worsening of the disease control after COVID19 infection and long -term post COVID repercussion (persistent headache and depressive mood). One of the infected patients was pregnant (7 gestational weeks) and had asymptomatic COVID19 infection with no impact on pregnancy. Conclusion(s): In our cohort of patients LTP with SC C1 INH and correct vaccination against COVID19 have shown that can maintain severe HAE patients with good clinical control even when infected with the virus.
ABSTRACT
Artificial intelligence has become an important tool for governments around the world. However, it is not clear to what extent artificial intelligence can improve decision-making, and some policy domains have not been the focus of most recent studies, including the public budget process. More specifically, budget allocation is one of the areas in which AI may have greatest potential. Therefore, this study attempts to contribute to this gap in our existing knowledge by answering the following research question: To what extent can artificial intelligence techniques help distribute public spending to increase GDP, decrease inflation and reduce the Gini index? In order to respond to this question, this article proposes an algorithmic approach on how budget inputs (specific expenditures) are processed to generate certain outputs (economic, political, and social outcomes). The authors use the multilayer perceptron and a multiobjective genetic algorithm to analyze World Bank Open Data from 1960 to 2019, including 217 countries. The advantages of implementing this type of decision support system in public expenditures allocation arise from the ability to process large amounts of data and to find patterns that are not easy to detect, which include multiple non-linear relationships. Some technical aspects of the expenditure allocation process could be improved with the help of these kinds of techniques. In addition, the results of the AIbased approach are consistent with the findings of the scientific literature on public budgets, using traditional statistical techniques.
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on the travel industry. The consequences of the virus are beginning to be seen in the form of mergers, closures or acquisitions that will leave behind a new landscape in the travel agency sub-sector. This study analyses the situation of Spanish travel agencies and, on the basis of this research, proposes a manual of good practices for their recovery. A total of 726 travel agents were contacted through an online survey. The study shows that the current situation is perceived as a turning point from which a change must take place in the market, ranging from technological innovation to the marketing of more sustainable products, including a possible change of business model. After participatory observation in the sector and analysis of the results obtained, a manual of good practices is proposed in the form of a decalogue which, when put into practice, will help to guarantee the future of travel agencies, already affected by the changes brought about by the appearance of new players in the area of tourism intermediation.
ABSTRACT
Recreational sex is a popular form of leisure that has been redefined by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. "Social distancing" rules have imposed limits on sex for leisure while also creating new opportunities. We discuss results from an online survey of 1,559 adults who were asked about the pandemic's impact on their intimate lives. While nearly half of the sample reported a decline in their sex life, one in five participants reported expanding their sexual repertoire by incorporating new activities. Common additions included sexting, trying new sexual positions, and sharing sexual fantasies. Being younger, living alone, and feeling stressed and lonely were linked to trying new things. Participants making new additions were three times more likely to report improvements in their sex life. Even in the face of drastic changes to daily life, many adults are adapting their sexual lives in creative ways.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the stabilizing macroeconomic effects of economic policies during the COVID-19 crisis in Spain. Design/methodology/approach: The contribution of the structural shocks that explain the behaviour of the main macroeconomic aggregates during 2020 are estimated, and the effects of economic policies are simulated using a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model estimated for the Spanish economy. Findings: The results highlight the importance of supply and demand shocks in explaining the COVID-19 crisis. The annual fall in gross domestic product (GDP) moderates at least by 7.6 points in the most intense period of the crisis, thanks to these stabilizing policies. Finally, the potential effects of Next Generation EU in the Spanish economy are estimated. Assuming that Spain may receive from the EU between 1.5 and 2.25 percentage points (pp) of GDP, activity could increase to between 2 and 3 pp in 2024. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the exercises and findings are original. All these results show the usefulness of a DSGE model, such as the estimated rational expectation model for Spain, as a practical tool for the applied economic analysis, the macroeconomic assessment of economic policies and the understanding of the Spanish economy. © 2020, J.E. Boscá, R. Doménech, J. Ferri, J.R. García and C. Ulloa.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major challenge in delivering care to wound patients. Due to multiple comorbidities, wound patients are at an increased risk for the most extreme complications of COVID-19 and providers must focus on reducing their exposure risk. The Federal, State, and local governments, as well as payers, have urged hospitals and providers to reduce utilization of nonessential health services, but they also have given more flexibility to shift the site of necessary care to lower risk environments. Providers must be prepared for disruption from this pandemic mode of health care for the next 18 months, at minimum. The wound provider must accept the new normal during the pandemic by adapting their care to meet the safety needs of the patient and the public. The Wound Center Without Walls is a strategy to untether wound care from a physical location and aggressively triage and provide care to patients with wounds across the spectrum of the health system utilizing technology and community-centered care.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major challenge in delivering care to wound patients. Due to multiple comorbidities, wound patients are at an increased risk for the most extreme complications of COVID-19 and providers must focus on reducing their exposure risk. The Federal, State, and local governments, as well as payers, have urged hospitals and providers to reduce utilization of nonessential health services, but they also have given more flexibility to shift the site of necessary care to lower risk environments. Providers must be prepared for disruption from this pandemic mode of health care for the next 18 months, at minimum. The wound provider must accept the new normal during the pandemic by adapting their care to meet the safety needs of the patient and the public. The Wound Center Without Walls is a strategy to untether wound care from a physical location and aggressively triage and provide care to patients with wounds across the spectrum of the health system utilizing technology and community-centered care.