Relationship sustainability-store equity across segments of retail customers

PurposeThe study of sustainability in retail has experienced an exponential interest in recent years as a result of greater awareness on the part of consumers of the negative effects of the current way of producing and consuming on society and the environment. This work examines the heterogeneous evaluation based on behavioural variables in retail trade and how consumer perceptions towards sustainable practices implemented in stores can influence the overall store equity.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose a theoretical model based on the literature, tested through a mixed regression model in a sample of 510 customers of food retail establishments.FindingsThe dimensions of sustainability are postulated as driving forces of brand equity towards the retail establishment. Specifically, social sustainability shows a greater impact on consumer perception, being the main factor in the development of the store's brand equity. Furthermore, the analysis of unobserved heterogeneity identifies three latent classes in which the effects of perceptions on sustainable retail activities vary across consumer segments.Originality/valueThe study analyses in a single model the effect of sustainability dimensions on store equity from the consumer's perspective, analysing the differences between these relationships as a consequence of the unobserved heterogeneity of consumers.

Episodic future thinking and compassion reduce non-compliance urges regarding public health guidelines: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: People often feel urges to engage in activities that violate pandemic public health guidelines. Research on these urges has been reliant on measures of typical behaviour, which fail to capture these urges as they unfold. Guideline adherence could be improved through interventions, but few methods allow for ecologically valid observation of the range of behaviours that pandemic guidelines prescribe. METHODS: In this preregistered parallel randomised trial, 95 participants aged 18-65 from the UK were assigned to three groups using blinded block randomisation, and engaged in episodic future thinking (n = 33), compassion exercises (n = 31), or a control procedure (n = 31). Following an ecological momentary assessment procedure, participants report on the intensity of their occurrent urges (min. 1, max. 10) and their ability to control them. The study further investigates whether, and through which mechanism, state impulsivity and vaccine attitudes affect guideline adherence. RESULTS: Episodic future thinking (b = -1.80) and compassion exercises (b = -1.45) reduced the intensity of urges. State impulsivity is associated with stronger urges, but we found no evidence that vaccine hesitancy predicts lesser self-control. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that episodic future thinking exercises and compassion training may be used to decrease non-compliance urges of individuals who are an acute public health risk for the community, such as those in voluntary isolation.

MIF is a Common Genetic Determinant of COVID-19 Symptomatic Infection and Severity.

BACKGROUND: Genetic predisposition to COVID-19 may contribute to its morbidity and mortality. Because cytokines play an important role in multiple phases of infection, we examined whether commonly occurring, functional polymorphisms in macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are associated with COVID-19 infection or disease severity. AIM: To determine associations of common functional polymorphisms in MIF with symptomatic COVID-19 or its severity. METHODS: This retrospective case control study utilized 1171 patients with COVID-19 from three tertiary medical centers in the United States, Hungary, and Spain, together with a group of 637 pre-pandemic, healthy control subjects. Functional MIF promoter alleles (-794 CATT5-8, rs5844572), serum MIF and soluble MIF receptor levels, and available clinical characteristics were measured and correlated with COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalization. Experimental mice genetically engineered to express human high- or low-expression MIF alleles were studied for response to coronavirus infection. RESULTS: In patients with COVID-19, there was a lower frequency of the high-expression MIF CATT7 allele when compared to healthy controls (11% vs. 19%, OR: 0.54 [0.41, 0.72], p < 0.0001). Among inpatients with COVID-19 (n = 805), there was a higher frequency of the MIF CATT7 allele compared to outpatients (n = 187) (12% vs. 5%, OR: 2.87 [1.42, 5.78], p = 0.002). Inpatients presented with higher serum MIF levels when compared to outpatients or uninfected healthy controls (87 ng/ml vs. 35 ng/ml vs. 29 ng/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). Among inpatients, circulating MIF concentrations correlated with admission ferritin (r = 0.19, p = 0.01) and maximum CRP (r = 0.16, p = 0.03) levels. Mice with a human high-expression MIF allele showed more severe disease than those with a low-expression MIF allele. CONCLUSIONS: In this multinational retrospective study of 1171 subjects with COVID-19, the commonly occurring -794 CATT7  MIF allele is associated with reduced susceptibility to symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection but increased disease progression as assessed by hospitalization. These findings affirm the importance of host genetics in different stages of COVID-19 infection.

Perception of the Impact of COVID-19 on a Sample of Spaniards with Hearing Disabilities.

This paper describes an empirical study carried out with 40 Spanish deaf people, users of sign language, between 19 and 45 years of age, which gathers their perceptions of aspects related to the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions. During the pandemic, people with hearing disabilities, among other groups, were forgotten. They suffered from accessibility problems to the information issued by the authorities, violating their right to be informed and exposing their health to COVID-19. In this work, we identify the problems they suffered and what effects COVID-19 had on their lives. This will help to take the appropriate measures to restore their rights and design policies and strategies to deal with any new future health emergency. For this, an ad hoc questionnaire was designed, adapted to easy reading and sign language. This was publicized via email and WhatsApp through the Association of Deaf People of Granada and Province (Spain) and was responded to online and by video call with the collaboration of sign language interpreters using the LimeSurvey platform. The results discover (1) the difficulties of communication barriers in the relationship with health professionals and institutions, as well as in the spheres of work and education, (2) similarities with the rest of the population in the negative effects of confinement, and (3) presence of positive effects, such as the development of positive activities and emotions. The study highlights the need to increase economic and institutional support aimed at improving coping resources, access to information, and the reduction of social and institutional barriers that would allow people with hearing disabilities to successfully face future health problems of a global nature such as that experienced with COVID-19.

Variables that enhance the development of resilience in young gay people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS: Sexual and gender minorities are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety caused by COVID-19. However, they also have specific variables that have been little studied but which may protect them from this adverse situation. The aim of this study was to find out whether there were differences in socio-demographic and psychosocial variables in two groups of Spanish gay young people (high and low resilience), and predictors of risk and protective factors were examined. METHODS: Nine hundred and seventy-nine young homosexuals (389; 39.73% self-reported as women) aged between 18 and 26 years old who experienced mandatory confinement due to COVID-19, completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Hope, perceived self-efficacy, reappraisal index, coping humour, anxiety, depression were assessed along with socio-demographic information. Data were collected between 15 and 26 April 2020. RESULTS: Socio-demographic variables that were predictive of highly resilient behaviour included being between 24 and 26 years old, living with LGBTI+ peers and living in big cities, protective psychosocial variables included reframing in reappraising the confinement situation, humour as coping, social support from significant others and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: This is one of the first studies on this subject of compulsory COVID-19 confinement on young homosexuals in Spain. Mental health professionals and organizations should also include work on psychosocial protective factors, not just risk factors, to enhance resilient outcomes in this group.

"Del miedo a la resiliencia". Estudio fenomenológico sobre el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en cuidadoras de pacientes dependientes en hemodiálisis

Objetivo: profundizar en el conocimiento sobre las vivencias y el soporte percibido en cuidadoras primarias que atendieron a pacientes dependientes en tratamiento con hemodiálisis durante el periodo de pandemia por COVID-19 en la ciudad de Madrid. Material y Método: estudio transversal efectuado con diez cuidadoras primarias de pacientes en tratamiento de hemodiálisis que habían proporcionado cuidados durante el periodo de marzo 2020 a junio 2021. La recolección de los datos se realizó mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a distancia hasta conseguir la saturación de las unidades de significado. Se realizó un análisis cualitativo fenomenológico mediante el método de siete pasos de Colaizzi. Resultados: del análisis de los discursos emergieron dimensiones asociadas a diferentes subcategorías: miedo inicial sobre la enfermedad, pérdida de libertad, riesgo percibido durante el transporte, soporte percibido por parte de los centros de diálisis, capacidad de resiliencia, miedo a la muerte e impacto de la vacunación. Conclusiones: en la etapa álgida del brote epidémico las vivencias de las cuidadoras estuvieron muy influidas por el desconocimiento de la enfermedad y el miedo al contagio. Adaptaron medidas de auto prevención para mantener a salvo a su familiar. Apreciaron la seguridad proporcionada por los profesionales de los centros. Les preocupaba los riesgos inherentes a los traslados y la falta de soporte de los servicios sociales. Son conscientes de su propia fragilidad y la de la persona cuidada y no perciben grandes cambios ni en su forma de vida ni en su esperanza de futuro, pese a la vacunación y otros adelantos científicos.Alternate : Objective: Deepening knowledge of the experiences and support perceived in primary caregivers who attended patients in hemodialysis treatment during the pandemic period for COVID-19 in the city of Madrid. Material and Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with ten primary caregivers of patients in hemodialysis treatment who had provided care during the period from March 2020 to June 2021. The collection of the data was carried out through semi-structured distance interviews to achieve saturation of the units of meaning. A phenomenological qualitative analysis was carried out using Colaizzi’s seven-pass method. Results: From the analysis of the speeches, dimensions associated with different subcategories emerged: initial fear about the disease, loss of freedom, perceived risk during transport, perceived support from dialysis centres, resilience, fear of death and impact of vaccination. Conclusions: At the height of the outbreak, caregivers’ experiences were strongly influenced by their lack of knowledge of the disease and fear of infection. They adapted self-prevention measures to keep their family member safe. They appreciated the safety provided by the professionals in the centres. They were concerned about the risks inherent in transfers and the lack of support from social services. They are aware of their own and the cared-for person’s frailty and do not perceive major changes in their way of life or in their hope for the future, despite vaccination and other scientific advances.

Experiencias de vida y soporte percibido por las enfermeras de las unidades de hemodiálisis hospitalaria durante la pandemia de COVID- 19 en España

Objetivo: Profundizar en el conocimiento sobre las experiencias de vida y el soporte percibido por las enfermeras/os que atendieron a pacientes con enfermedad de COVID-19 en tratamiento con hemodiálisis hospitalaria durante los meses de mayor prevalencia de la pandemia en España. Material y Método: Estudio cualitativo fenomenológico. El grupo participante fue de diez enfermeras/o de hospitales públicos de España que habían dializado a pacientes con COVID-19. La recolección de los datos se realizó mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a través del programa Skype©, hasta conseguir la saturación de las unidades de significado. El análisis se hizo mediante el método de Colaizzi-7 pasos. Resultados: Del análisis de los discursos emergieron cuatro dimensiones asociadas a diferentes subcategorías: desconocimiento sobre la enfermedad, sufrimiento del paciente, soporte percibido y capacidad de afrontamiento de los profesionales. Conclusiones: En las enfermeras han coexistido emociones positivas y negativas. En la etapa álgida del brote epidémico las vivencias de las enfermeras de hemodiálisis fueron provocadas por el desconocimiento, por no saber actuar adecuadamente y por el miedo al contagio, agravado por la falta de medios de protección. Las vivencias positivas fueron el crecimiento personal, el apoyo del equipo y de la familia. También cabe destacar el control racional de la situación, debido a que en las unidades de diálisis hay gran experiencia en el control de la trasmisión de enfermedades infecciosas.Alternate : Aim: To deepen the knowledge about life experiences and support perceived by nurses who attended in-hospital patients with COVID-19 disease on haemodialysis during the months with the highest prevalence of the pandemic in Spain. Material and Method: Qualitative phenomenological study. The participating group was ten nurses from public hospitals in Spain who had dialyzed patients with COVID-19. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews through Skype© program, until the units of meaning were saturated. The analysis was done using the Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: Four dimensions emerged from the speech analysis associated with different subcategories: ignorance about the disease, patient suffering, perceived support and professionals’ ability to cope. Conclusions: Positive and negative emotions have coexisted in nurses. In the peak stage of the epidemic outbreak, the experiences of hemodialysis nurses were caused by ignorance, not knowing how to act appropriately, and fear of infection, aggravated by the lack of means of protection. The positive experiences were personal growth, the support of the team and the family. It is also worth noting the rational control of the situation, because in the dialysis units there is great experience in controlling the transmission of infectious diseases.

'Almost everything else goes to the wayside': Experiences of caseworkers, middle managers and leaders responding to child fatality and near fatality cases

While child welfare scholars and caseworkers have acquired a better understanding of risk factors associated with occurrences of child fatalities due to maltreatment over the past 20 years, little is known about the organisational and system‐level characteristics that impact efforts to prevent or intervene in these cases. As part of a collaborative agreement between a university‐affiliated centre and a state child welfare agency, we conducted interviews by phone with 19 case managers, middle managers and regional leaders who were assigned to manage or oversee a near fatality or fatality case. They illuminated five major themes: 1) their perceived stressors and sources of support;2) client and perpetrator risk factors;3) system‐level risk and protective factors;4) case descriptions;and 5) lessons learned. Relying upon their lived experiences, we offer practice and policy recommendations to Child Abuse Review to support their efforts to prevent and respond to child fatality cases. Efforts should be devoted to evaluating strategies to reduce risk for all families before the child welfare system is involved, supporting workers when they are assigned to fatality cases by reducing caseloads and preparing them for the fatality review process, and embracing a culture of collaboration across and within child‐serving systems. Key Practitioner Messages: To respond effectively to child fatality and near fatality cases, child welfare caseworkers and leaders should be assigned fewer cases in the interim, and receive guidance, consultation, and time to prepare for the fatality review process.Embracing a culture of collaboration across and within child‐serving systems may also prevent fatalities and facilitate an efficient investigative process if/when they do occur.

Introducción: novedades del año 2021

Nos complace presentar en REC: CardioClinics la cuarta edición de «Temas de actualidad en cardiología», correspondiente al año 2021. Este ha sido un año singular, en el que la enfermedad coronavírica de 2019 (COVID-19) ha estado presente durante los últimos meses y ha marcado pautas en la asistencia clínica e investigación cardiovascular. Sin embargo, a diferencia del primer año de pandemia, hemos asistido a un retorno paulatino y progresivo a la normalidad, en el que hemos convivido con la COVID-19 y en el que se ha continuado con la innovadora experiencia de comunicación y divulgación científica en formato virtual (como en el Congreso Europeo de Cardiología, 2021-Experiencia digital), a la vez que con el formato tradicional, mediante reuniones presenciales con los matices propios de las normas de seguridad, como el vivido en el congreso de nuestra sociedad.

Good and bad get together: Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in particulate matter pollution from different fuels.

Air pollution and associated particulate matter (PM) affect environmental and human health worldwide. The intense vehicle usage and the high population density in urban areas are the main causes of this public health impact. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence on the effect of air pollution on airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 disease prevalence and symptomatology. However, the causal relationship between air pollution and COVID-19 is still under investigation. Based on these results, the question addressed in this study was how long SARS-CoV-2 survives on the surface of PM from different origin to evaluate the relationship between fuel and atmospheric pollution and virus transmission risk. The persistence and viability of SARS-CoV-2 virus was characterized in 5 engine exhaust PM and 4 samples of atmospheric PM10. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 remains on the surface of PM10 from air pollutants but interaction with engine exhaust PM inactivates the virus. Consequently, atmospheric PM10 levels may increase SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk thus supporting a causal relationship between these factors. Furthermore, the relationship of pollution PM and particularly engine exhaust PM with virus transmission risk and COVID-19 is also affected by the impact of these pollutants on host oxidative stress and immunity. Therefore, although fuel PM inactivates SARS-CoV-2, the conclusion of the study is that both atmospheric and engine exhaust PM negatively impact human health with implications for COVID-19 and other diseases.

Technology and Quality of Life of Older People in Times of COVID: A Qualitative Study on Their Changed Digital Profile.

The situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic brought negative consequences such as social isolation, limited access to routine health and social care services, and lack of self-esteem, especially for older people. In this context, technology took on an important role as the main means of communication and service delivery. The main objective of this study is to analyze the situation of the elderly and their access to technological resources in the time of COVID-19. Based on a qualitative methodology, 58 semi-structured interviews were conducted with people between 65 and 90 years old in Portugal. The results reveal specific difficulties in the use of this type of digital devices and a change in the digital use profile of this age group, characterized by more frequent use of digital devices such as smartphones, the incorporation of certain services such as video calls, and uses associated with communication and entertainment. This study shows that attitudes toward technology among the elderly should be studied further, and these results should be considered to develop and implement training programs specially designed for this age group in order to contribute to their well-being and quality of life.

Appropriateness of high-priority criteria and safety of endoscopy procedures during the COVID-19 lockdown.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, gastroenterology guidelines recommended the suspension or reduction of non-urgent endoscopy. We aimed to assess the appropriateness and safety of endoscopic activity during the pandemic first wave lockdown using European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) recommendations. METHODS: We identified scheduled patients from the onset of the lockdown in Spain since March 16, 2020) to April 14, 2020. Daily hospital COVID-19-related burden was also registered. A similar cohort from a period immediately before the lockdown was studied (pre-lockdown cohort) to compare appropriateness. RESULTS: 454 endoscopy procedures were performed during the studied period, comprising a 49.7% reduction compared to the pre-lockdown cohort (n = 913). There was a significant increase in ESGE high-priority indications (62.1% vs. 45.6%, p<0.001) associated with an increase in relevant endoscopic findings (p = 0.006), advanced neoplasia/cancer (p = 0.004) and cancer detection rate (p = 0.010). There were no differences in the rate of admissions or infection among scheduled patients in the lockdown cohort. None of the staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in the 7 days after the adoption of protective measures. CONCLUSION: A prioritized endoscopic activity is not associated with higher contagion after adopting protective measures. In addition, a triage of procedures that follow the ESGE criteria increases the rate of relevant endoscopic findings. These considerations may reduce the impact of the delays of diagnosis after the pandemic.

Comparison of mobile QoE: an unsupervised field study in Argentina and Cuba

This article presents the findings of an unsupervised field study conducted over 31 days in Argentina and Cuba in order to explore mobile QoE. We also analyzed the correspondence between the objective observations and users’ opinions to identify contextual conditions that could have influenced the study’s results. Using their own mobile devices in everyday contexts, 95 users from Argentina and Cuba interacted with CovidInfo app, thereby recording values for eight objective metrics as well as their opinions. The total data set collected consisted of 41,144 records. Analysis of the CovidInfo application yielded positive QoE results in both countries, as 88% and 70% of the objective metrics in Argentina and Cuba, respectively, were optimal. The main difference between the two countries is the type of connection: In Argentina, WiFi networks are predominant, while the trend in Cuba is mobile data connections. Alternate : Este artículo presenta los hallazgos de un estudio de campo no supervisado realizado durante 31 días en Argentina y Cuba con el fin de explorar la QoE móvil. También analizamos la correspondencia entre las observaciones objetivas y las opiniones de los usuarios para identificar las condiciones contextuales que podrían haber influido en los resultados del estudio. Utilizando sus propios dispositivos móviles en contextos cotidianos, 95 usuarios de Argentina y Cuba interactuaron con la app CovidInfo, registrando así los valores de ocho métricas objetivas, así como sus opiniones. El conjunto total de datos recopilados consistió en 41.144 registros. El análisis de la aplicación CovidInfo arrojó resultados positivos de QoE en ambos países, ya que el 88% y el 70% de las métricas objetivas en Argentina y Cuba, respectivamente, fueron óptimas. La principal diferencia entre los dos países es el tipo de conexión: en Argentina predominan las redes WiFi, mientras que la tendencia en Cuba son las conexiones de datos móviles.

Tasas de letalidad por SARS-CoV-2 durante la segunda onda epidémica en España según Comunidades Autónomas Case-fatality rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to Autonomous Communities during the second epidemic wave in Spain

Introducción: En España, los sistemas sanitarios están transferidos a las Comunidades Autónomas (CC.AA.), constituyendo 19 sistemas sanitarios con gestión y recursos diferenciados. Durante la primera onda epidémica del COVID-19 se objetivaron diferencias en los sistemas de declaración y en las tasas de letalidad (TL) entre las CC.AA. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las TL por CC.AA. durante la segunda onda epidémica (del 20 de julio al 25 de diciembre de 2020) y su relación con la prevalencia de la infección. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo con la información disponible sobre el número de fallecidos por COVID-19 registrados en el Ministerio de Sanidad, Consejerías de Salud y los Departamentos de Salud Pública de las CC.AA. y según el exceso de mortalidad informado por el Sistema de Monitorización de Mortalidad Diaria (MoMo). La prevalencia de la infección se estimó a partir de las diferencias entre la segunda y cuarta ronda del estudio ENE-COVID y sus intervalos de confianza del 95%. Se calcularon las TL (fallecidos por cada mil infectados) globales, por sexo, grupos de edad (< 65 y ≥ 65 años) y CC.AA. Se calculó la Razón Estandarizada de Letalidad por edad (REL) de las CC.AA. utilizando las TL de España para cada grupo de etario. Estas estimaciones se realizaron con las defunciones declaradas oficialmente (TLo) y el exceso de defunciones estimadas por MoMo (TLMo). Se estimaron las correlaciones entre las prevalencias de infección y las TLo y TLMo, ponderando por población. Resultados: Para el conjunto de España, la TLo durante la segunda onda epidémica fue del 7,6‰, oscilando entre 3,8‰ de Baleares y 16,4‰ de Asturias, y la TLMo fue de 10,1‰, oscilando entre el 4,8‰ de Madrid y el 21,7‰ en Asturias. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre la TLo y la TLMo en Canarias, Castilla la Mancha, Extremadura, Comunidad Valenciana, Andalucía y las Ciudades Autónomas de Ceuta y Melilla. La TLo fue significativamente mayor en hombres (8,2‰) que en mujeres (7,1‰). Las TLo y TLMo fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo de edad ≥65 años (55,4‰ y 72,2‰ respectivamente) que en el grupo <65 años (0,5‰ y 1,4‰ respectivamente). País Vasco, Aragón, Andalucía y Castilla la Mancha presentaron una REL significativamente superiores a uno. Las correlaciones entre la prevalencia de infección y las TLo fueron inversas. Conclusiones: La letalidad por COVID-19 durante la segunda onda epidémica en España mejoró respecto a la primera. Los datos disponibles sugieren que la letalidad de la segunda onda en las CC.AA. estaría influida por la elevada letalidad observada en la primera onda en personas con comorbilidades, así como por las limitaciones de los sistemas de detección y notificación de SARS-CoV-2. Las tasas de letalidad fueron mayores en hombres y personas mayores, y variaban significativamente entre CC.AA. Es necesario profundizar en el análisis de las causas de estas diferencias.

Cory COVID-Bot: An Evidence-Based Behavior Change Chatbot for COVID-19.

Cory COVID-Bot is an artificial intelligence chatbot designed and built by a multisector collaboration to help people safely step towards COVID normal. Achieving COVID normal and avoiding unnecessary adverse health outcomes requires effective communication to the public regarding COVID safe behaviors, but reaching young, culturally and linguistically diverse members of the community is challenging for government. Cory COVID-Bot was developed to directly engage with difficult to reach populations in English and Vietnamese. In order to resolve public ambiguity and uncertainty about public health guidelines, and to stimulate safe behavior, Cory COVID-Bot provides updated recommendations and behavior change interventions, which emphasize the importance of COVID safe behaviors.

INTENCIÓN DE PARTICIPACIÓN EN PROGRAMAS UNIVERSITARIOS DE MAYORES EN MODALIDAD A DISTANCIA. IDENTIFICACIÓN DE PERFILES MEDIANTE ANÁLISIS DE SEGMENTACIÓN 1

RESUMEN: Los Programas Universitarios para Personas Mayores (PUM) brindan espacios organizados de formación, interacción y relación social. La situación de emergencia internacional provocada por la pandemia COVID19 ha significado el cierre casi total de este tipo de programas, limitando el contacto y las relaciones personales en condiciones de presencialidad. Esta situación, junto a un potente y cada vez más accesible escenario tecnológico conducen a valorar nuevas áreas de formación y aprendizaje online, también para las personas mayores. Este estudio tiene por objetivo explorar la intención de participación en un programa universitario de mayores en formato online. Esta intención puede predecirse en función de determi nados factores o variables de tipo sociodemográfico y contextual. En el estudio participaron un total de 1633 personas mayores con una media de edad de 68,2 años, todos ellos asistentes a 17 sedes del PUM de la Comunidad de Castilla y León. Para el tratamiento de los datos se utilizó la técnica no paramétrica de árboles de clasificación. Se consideraron 3 variables criterio («Intención de participar en e-PUM>>;«Actitud hacia TD>>;y «Frecuencia de uso tecnológico») entorno a las cuales se configuran perfiles de sujetos en función de una serie de características individuales sociodemográficas, psicográficas y conductuales, todas ellas consideradas como variables predictoras. Los resultados ofrecen claves para comprender por qué los mayores aceptan (o no aceptan) esta modalidad de participación, identificando perfiles o rasgos que caracterizan cada uno de los perfiles o subgrupos de sujetos con mayor o menor predisposición a este tipo de participación socioeducativa, lo cual puede servir de base en la toma de decisiones de política social y/o educativa.Alternate :The University Programmes for Older Adults (PUM) provide organised spaces for training, interaction and social relations. The international emergency situation caused by the COVID19 pandemic has meant the almost total closure of this type of programme, limiting contact and personal relations in face-to-face conditions. This situation, together with a powerful and increasingly accessible technological scenario, leads to the assessment of new areas of online training and learning, also for older people. This study aims to explore the intention to participate in a university programme for older people in an online format. This intention can be predicted on the basis of certain socio-demographic and contextual factors or variables. A total of 1633 older adults with an average age of 68.2 years participated in the study, all of them attending 17 PUM sites in the Community of Castilla y León. The non-parametric technique of classification trees was used to process the data. Three criterion variables were considered («Intention to participate in e-PUM>>;«Attitude towards TD>>;and «Frequency of technological use>>) around which profiles of subjects are configured according to a series of individual sociodemographic, psychographic and behavioural characteristics, all of them considered as predictor variables. The results offer keys to understanding why the elderly accept (or do not accept) this form of participation, identifying profiles or traits that characterise each of the profiles or subgroups of subjects with a greater or lesser predisposition to this type of socio-educational participation, which can serve as a basis for making social and/ or educational policy decisions.Alternate :RESUMO: Os Programas Universitarios para Adultos Idosos (PUM) proporcionam espaços organizados de formaçao, interacçao e relaçöes sociais. A situaçao de emergencia internacional causada pela pandemia COVID19 implicou o encerramento quase total deste tipo de programa, limitando o contacto e as relaçöes pessoais em condiçöes presenciais. Esta situaçao, juntamente com um cenário tecnológico poderoso e cada vez mais acessível, leva a avaliaçao de novas áreas de formaçao e aprendizagem em linha, ambém para pessoas idosas. Este estudo visa explorar a intençao de participar num programa universitário para pessoas idosas em formato online. Esta intençao pode ser prevista com base em certos factores ou variáveis sociodemográficos e contextuais. Um total de 1633 adultos idosos com uma idade média de 68,2 anos participou no estudo, todos eles frequentando 17 sítios PUM na Comunidade de Castilla y León. A técnica nao paramétrica das árvores de classificaçao foi utilizada para processar os dados. Foram consideradas tres variáveis de critério (<<Intençao de participar em e-PUM>>;<<Atitude para TD>>;e <<Frequencia de uso tecnológico») em torno da qual os perfis dos sujeitos sao configurados de acordo com uma série de características sociodemográficas, psicográficas e comportamentais individuais, todas elas consideradas como variáveis preditoras. Os resultados oferecem chaves para compreender por que razao os idosos aceitam (ou nao aceitam) esta forma de participaçao, identificando perfis ou traços que caracterizam cada um dos perfis ou subgrupos de sujeitos com maior ou menor predisposiçao para este tipo de participaçao sócio-educativa, que pode servir de base para a tomada de decisöes políticas sociais e/ou educativas.

IFMIF-DONES as Paradigm of Institutional Funding in the Way towards Sustainable Energy

Although actions promoting sustainable energy production and consumption have been widely approached in the literature, the management of the big scientific projects devoted to these actions have not been considered as a matter of study from the perspective of sustainable development, but almost exclusively from the scientific or technical ones. Experiences all over the world are increasingly demonstrating that the impact of the project phase is more critical than expected. In this sense, the joint international research on clean and more efficient nuclear power, especially fusion, is currently focused on two large projects: ITER and IFMIF-DONES. Although ITER is step by step advancing, IFMIF-DONES still has a long way before it is actually implemented and its main target (the evaluation of the materials to build the future nuclear fusion reactors) is achieved. In this work, the different steps focused on IFMIF-DONES funding and management planning up to date are analysed and, departing from them, some key points on the future development of the project are proposed.

Influence of past infection with SARS-CoV-2 on the response to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in health care workers: Kinetics and durability of the humoral immune response.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are an invaluable resource against COVID-19. Current vaccine shortage makes it necessary to prioritize distribution to the most appropriate segments of the population. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 63 health care workers (HCWs) from a General Hospital. We compared antibody responses to two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine between HCWs with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (experienced HCWs) and HCWs without previous infection (naïve HCWs). FINDINGS: Seven days after the first vaccine dose, HCWs with previous infection experienced a 126-fold increase in antibody levels (p<0·001). However, in the HCW naïve group, response was much lower and only five showed positive antibody levels (>50 AU). After the second dose, no significant increase in antibody levels was found in experienced HCWs, whereas in naïve HCWs, levels increased by 16-fold (p<0·001). Approximately two months post-vaccination, antibody levels were much lower in naïve HCWs compared to experienced HCWs (p<0·001). INTERPRETATION: The study shows that at least ten months post-COVID-19 infection, the immune system is still capable of producing a rapid and powerful secondary antibody response following one single vaccine dose. Additionally, we found no further improvement in antibody response to the second dose in COVID-19 experienced HCWs. Nonetheless, two months later, antibody levels were still higher for experienced HCWs. These data suggest that immune memory persists in recovered individuals; therefore, the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in this group could be postponed until immunization of the remaining population is complete.

Challenges and Responses in the Coordination of Food Public Policies in Brazil during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In Brazil, the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) and the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) are government procurement policies aimed at guaranteeing food security for family farmers and students. Using Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, as a case study, the purpose of this work was to explain the operation, coordination, and reorganization of these policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative research methodology was used, based on the analysis of information obtained from interviews, specialized discussion forums, and a review of relevant documents, such as local and national guidelines. The results highlight the need to include crisis management strategies that are associated with the public policies studied and new regulatory frameworks to promote PAA-PNAE synergy. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] En Brasil, el Programa Nacional de Alimentación Escolar (PNAE) y el Programa de Adquisición de Alimentos (PAA) son políticas de compras gubernamentales destinadas a garantizar la seguridad alimentaria de los agricultores familiares y estudiantes. Mediante un estudio de caso en Foz do Iguaçu, Brasil, este trabajo buscó comprender el funcionamiento, la coordinación y la reorganización de estas políticas durante la pandemia de la COVID-19. Se utilizó una metodología de investigación cualitativa, basada en el análisis de información obtenida de entrevistas, foros de discusión especializados y revisión de documentos, tales como directrices locales y nacionales. Los resultados muestran la necesidad de incluir estrategias de gestión de crisis asociadas a las políticas públicas estudiadas y nuevos marcos regulatorios para promover la sinergia del PAA-PNAE. (Spanish) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] No Brasil, o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) e o Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA) são políticas de compras governamentais que visam garantir a segurança alimentar dos agricultores familiares e estudantes. Utilizando Foz do Iguaçu, Brasil, como estudo de caso, este trabalho buscou compreender o funcionamento, coordenação e reorganização dessas políticas durante a pandemia da covid-19. Foi utilizada uma metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa, baseada na análise de informações obtidas em entrevistas, fóruns de discussão especializados e revisão de documentos, como diretrizes locais e nacionais. Os resultados mostram a necessidade de incluir estratégias de gestão de crises associadas às políticas públicas estudadas e novos marcos regulatórios para promover a sinergia PAA-PNAE. (Portuguese) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Revista de Estudios Sociales is the property of Universidad de los Andes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)