Gender Diversity and Resilience in Firms During COVID-19 Pandemic

The general objective of the paper is to identify how gender diversity can enable resilience in firms. The pandemic constitutes a sui generis contingency factor that had not yet been concretely taken into consideration in the research field of the relationship between gender diversity and resilience. Recently, the Covid-19 crisis has been a major concern for companies around the world. Specifically, what caught our attention were the distinctive features of the phenomenon compared to other traumatic events that have occurred in the past. On the other hand, companies have shown a different way and capacity to react and respond to the crisis generated by the pandemic. Therefore, many researchers are investigating the impact that the crisis has had and is having in different economic areas, in terms of costs, sectors affected, etc. This research work considers the implications of the pandemic on firms. From a methodological point of view, the analysis is carried out as a qualitative case study;the approach is particularly useful for responding to "how” and "why” questions about a contemporary set of events. The conclusion from this empirical study is open to interpretation. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

IMPACT of the COVID-19 PANDEMIC on PRIMITIVE MELANOMA DIAGNOSES at the IDI-IRCCS of ROME

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some planned medical activities have been postponed, for both national directives and out of concern of the patients who were afraid to go to hospitals.1 In our study we tried to evaluate if the pandemic has had any detrimental effect on melanoma diagnosis both in 2020 and 2021. Method(s): We collected all consecutive primary melanoma from the Pathology Registry of IDI-IRCCS of Rome (Breslow, ulceration and other main histological features). During year 2020 we divided the COVID-19 Italian pandemic into three phases: pre-lockdown (1 January- 9 March), lockdown (10 March-3 May), post-lockdown (4 May-6 June). We compared these data with the same period of year 2021. Result(s): In the year 2020 mean number of melanoma diagnoses per day were as follows: 2.3 in the pre-lockdown phase, 0.6 during the lockdown and 1.3 after the lockdown (in 20182019, we had 2.3/day). Mean Breslow thickness was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.501.26) pre-lockdown and 1.96 (95% CI, 1.162.76) post-lockdown. Proportion of ulceration was 5.9% (95% CI, 2.411.7%) pre-lockdown and 23.5% (95% CI 10.841.2%) post-lockdown. During the same period of year 2021 we observed a constant number of new melanoma cases, with a daily number similar to the 2020 pre-lockdown period. Overall, we observed a higher number of nodular melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma with nodule compared to 2020 pre-lockdown period. The proportion of in situ melanoma in 2021 (about 28%) is constant and it is very close to the observed values for 2018 (23.8%), 2019 (26.4%) and 2020 (25%). Conclusion(s): Our data support the hypothesis that during the COVID-19 lockdown period of year 2020, melanoma diagnoses may have been delayed. In 2020 a significant increase has been observed for men (from 0.96 to 2.70) but not for women (0.79 to 1.44), and in patients 50 years old or older. Regarding the year 2021, our data support the hypothesis that the number of new melanoma diagnoses returned to the pre-lockdown period, but the higher Breslow thickness and the largest number of thicker melanomas (nodular and superficial spreading with nodule) suggest it could be caused by the postponed prevention during the previous year. The constant proportion of in situ melanoma indicate that more health-conscious people were more likely to defy the 2020- 2021 lockdown limitations than people who might have been underestimating the severity of their lesions.

Precocious puberty and other pubertal disorders in females during the Italian lockdown and the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

Background: At present few data have clearly showed an increased frequency of idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) in females during the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of environmental factors is not fully understood and various hypotheses have been formulated. Aims of the Study: To evaluate retrospectively the incidence of newly diagnosed CPP and other pubertal disorders (premature thelarche, early puberty, fast puberty and precocious menarche) in two regions of Italy (Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna) during and after the lockdown for COVID-19. Patients and Methods: The study included 440 females evaluated for pubertal disorders into the Centres of Florence, Parma, Reggio Emilia and Modena between the 1 January 2020 into the 31 December 2021. Subjects with endocrine or chronic diseases were excluded. Monthly incidence rates and clinical features were compared with a control group of patients evaluated for the same problems into 2019. Result(s): Our data confirmed a higher frequency of CPP in females (261 patients, mean age 7.6 +/- 0.6 years, without significant differences between the diagnoses carried out in 2020 and 2021) compared to 2019 (52 cases, mean age 7.5 +/- 0.7 years, p < 0.0001). Interestingly, CPP cases were significantly higher also in the first two months of 2020, so before the start of Italian lockdown and just before the Sars-COV-2 pandemic was declared (21 cases vs. 7 in the same period of 2019;p < 0.0001). Our preliminar data seem also to suggest an increased frequency of the diagnoses of premature thelarche (54 patients in 2021 and 31 patients in 2020 vs 21 patients in 2019, respectively p < 0.0001 and < 0.05;between 2020 and 2021: p < 0.0001), early puberty (31 patients in 2021 and 25 patients in 2020 vs 16 patients in 2019, respectively p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05), fast puberty (20 patients in 2020 vs 5 patients in 2019 and 2021;respectively, p < 0.0001) and precocious menarche (9 patients in 2021 vs 3 patients in 2019 and 4 patients in 2020;p < 0.0001). Conclusion(s): Our data, on the one hand, confirm an increase in the frequency of new cases of CPP during and after the lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic, but also show an increase, albeit differently distributed in these 2 years of epidemic, in other pubertal development disorders. Interestingly, this could delineate different factors involved in the genesis of these disorders. Further studies and insights appear necessary to better explain these aspects.

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Relative Bradycardia in Covid-19 Inpatients

Background and aims: Relative Bradycardia (RB) is a poorly understood condition that refers to inappropriately low heart rate response to a given increase in body temperature. Dysfunctional crosstalk between the immune system and the autonomous nervous system has been advocated. It is most often observed in intracellular gram negative and parasitic infections, with a prevalence ranging between 15% and 20%. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence, clinical determinants and significance of RB in patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate its prognostic value for long-covid syndrome during follow-up. Method(s): We enrolled consecutive patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 2020 to April 2021. We collected clinical parameters including clinostatic and orthostatic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) at 1,3 and 5 minutes, oxygen saturation, body temperature (BT), routine blood tests, 12-lead ECG, and 48-h Holter ECG. At follow up, clinical symptoms were investigated by novel Malmo POTS Symptoms (MAPS) questionnaire. Result(s): Total population included 269 inpatients (mean age 67+/-17 years, 59% male).Of these, 30 (11%) presented with sinus bradycardia and 37 (14%) RB. RB was more frequently observed in younger male patients with higher BT and heightened CRP levels. There were no significant correlations between BP and HR orthostatic changes and BR during hospital admission or during follow-up. No clinically relevant arrhythmias were revealed during 48-hour ECG monitoring. After mean16-month follow-up, MAPS score was higher in patients with RB (30+/-19) compared to those without RB (18+/-21, p=0.001) during index hospital admission. Dizziness, palpitations and fatigue were more frequently reported in patients with RB(p<0.001). Conclusion(s): RB is not an uncommon condition during acute COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 inpatients who presented RB during index hospitalization showed a higher symptom burden during follow-up, as recorded by MAPS score. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of RB and its value to predict post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. (Figure Presented).

Classroom lectures: A bygone tradition?

The current COVID-19 pandemic has not only significantly impacted public health and the economy but has also created some unimaginable problems in technology transfer, particularly as it applies to classroom teaching at the college/university level. The conventional method of classroom instruction - in person lectures and laboratory experiences, and team design project activities and student mentoring by engineering professionals and faculty - are no longer feasible in a time of accelerating viral transmission and social distancing requirements. The net result is that teaching is in turmoil since society, including parents, students and professors, have been required to adapt, without much time for preparation or adjustment, to a relatively new mode of technology transfer. The new mode? Online/hybrid courses and remote instruction for all aspects of engineering education ranging from introductory science and engineering topics to laboratory and engineering design experiences. This paper provides a review of the history of formal professional training and past technology transfer norms, as well as new technology transfer methods that have had to be adopted at the college/university level in response to COVID-19 restrictions. It concludes with an analysis by each of the four authors on the future of college/university engineering education across a range of technical disciplines and academic institutions struggling with the new norm imposed by a world-wide pandemic. © 2021 Proceedings of the Air and Waste Management Association's Annual Conference and Exhibition, AWMA. All rights reserved.

The strategic role of intellectual capital components in agri-food firms

PurposeRecent socioeconomic events, not least the Covid-19 pandemic, have led farms to rethink their traditional production methods. Innovation, new technologies and the establishment of relationships could be crucial for farms to remain competitive and sustainable over time. These factors can be assumed as structural and relational capital, two of intellectual capital's components. In this stream, the aim of this paper is to analyze how structural and relational capital could contribute to farm's sustainability in terms of competitiveness during its normal life cycle and in terms of resilience during an uncertain period, such as the coronavirus emergency.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is supported by the qualitative methodology of a single case study. To reach the declared goal, the paper applies the C.A.O.S. (Characteristics, Ambience, Organizations, Start-up) model, an interpretative model for analyzing the small and medium enterprise dimension. In this way, the main aspects that allowed the farm to be competitive and to react at the emergency period were described.FindingsThe findings show that innovation technology involved the farm's internal processes, improving execution, control and feedback phases. Thanks to the two main introduced innovations, the farm reduced staffing costs and minimized cultivation risk related to climatic factors. These innovations are the main factors allowing the farm to increase its efficiency. Moreover, the proactive and reactive roles of the structural and relational capital to face the emergency period are confirmed.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature in several ways. Regarding innovation literature, the paper shows how technology helps farms to improve their performance and their global competitiveness. Insight into structural and relational capital enhances the knowledge of intangible assets, such as intellectual capital. In the light of the Covid-19 emergency, the work demonstrates how the main resilience factors (proactive, i.e. structural capital, and reactive, i.e. relational capital) ensure the farm's survival.

Breast surgeons updating on the thresholds of COVID-19 era: results of a multicenter collaborative study evaluating the role of online videos and multimedia sources on breast surgeons education and training.

OBJECTIVE: Current trends show a rise of attention given to breast cancer patients' quality of life and the surgical reconstructive result. Along with this trend, surgical training quality and efficacy are gaining importance and innovative training methods such as online videos shared on social media portals, are becoming main updating tools. In hazardous times like COVID-19 pandemic nowadays, online communication becomes of vital importance and adaptation and innovation are fundamental to keep research and education alive. The authors aimed to investigate the role of video and multimedia sources on the daily activity and surgical training of a representative group of surgeons specifically dedicated to oncologic, oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was produced and administered to 20 major Italian Breast Centers. Collected data were analyzed with Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS: From October 2019 to March 2020, a total of 320 surveys were collected. Among the responders, there were 188 trainees (intern medical doctors and residents) and 110 faculty, 72% of them belonged to a plastic surgery environment, while 28% to general surgery environment. Almost all respondents have ever watched videos concerning breast surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show how breast surgeons rely on videos and web platforms, mostly YouTube, when searching for training info about surgical procedures. Social media offer great opportunities for sharing knowledge and diffusion of new ideas but greater attention to their reliability is mandatory.