Close the deal: Mechanisms for the payment of the purchase price in share purchase and sale agreements

The past events that have shaped our world, such as the COVID-19 Pandemic and the different political outcomes, entailed a scenario of major economic uncertainty in the global market that remains, particularly, in our country. Admittedly, mergers and acquisitions of companies (M&A) in Peru have also been heavily affected. However, it is the market agents' duty to find new strategies to mitigate the economic uncertainty by generating incentives through legal and financial security to the foreign and national investors. Consequently, in this article, the authors have identified the pricing mechanism, employed in Shares Purchase Agreements, as a key element in the recovery and boosting of M&A deals in the Peruvian market driven by uncertainty. Thus, the authors present the pricing mechanisms that have been traditionally used in Shares Purchase Agreements but also introduce the new trends in global pricing mechanisms that have come to stay and fit. © 2022, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. All rights reserved.

PRESENCE OF INTERNATIONALLY BANNED PESTICIDES IN DOMESTIC PERUVIAN QUINOA DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The global showcase for the promotion of the Andean grain quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) resulted in a rapid increase in international demand, which has had a direct impact on Peruvian food safety. The excessive use of pesticides results in high levels of pesticide residues in food, causing both environmental and health problems in the population. The objective of this article was to analyze if residues of internationally banned pesticides were present in the quinoa consumed by Peruvians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-seven different brands of packed white quinoa (10 sold as organically certified and 17 sold as conventional) were purchased in various supermarkets and bio-shops across metropolitan Lima on January 26, 2021. The pesticide residues in the samples were determined in a laboratory. The study found that Peruvian quinoa not only contained residues of internationally banned pesticides, but also had levels that exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the European Union. For consumer safety, it is important that the government make the proposed regulations regarding hazardous pesticides clear to the public. © This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International license.

Usefulness of C-reactive protein to determine the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Peru.

Background: Recently, many biomarkers have been studied to determine severe cases of COVID-19. C-reactive protein (CRP) has shown high sensitivity in identifying patients with severe disease and utility comparable to computed tomography. Aim(s): To determine the usefulness of CRP to predict the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients hospitalized at the Naval Medical Center of Peru during the period January-September in the year 2021. Method(s): A quantita-tive, observational, analytical, retrospective, and diagnostic test type design was used. A sample size of 503 patients was calculated, which were divided into two groups according to their severity. Result(s): An optimal cut-off point of 10.92 mg/L for CRP levels was determined for the diagnosis of severe COVID-19. An area under the curve (AUC) of 0.762 was calculated and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy values of 78.88%, 66.4%;41.42%;87.01%;and 67.27%;respectively. Fagan's normogram showed a post-test probability of 41%. In the adjusted model, CRP (aOR = 4.853;95% CI 2.987-7.886;p = 0.001), ferritin (aOR = 1.001;95% CI: 1.001-1.002;p = 0.001) and hypothyroidism (adjusted OR = 4899;95% CI: 1272-18872;p = 0.021) showed significance. Conclusion(s): The present study showed an association between CRP and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an adjusted model, showing its potential utility and contributing to determine the cut-off point of CRP in the Peruvian population and its international comparison.Copyright © 2023, Sociedad Chilena de Infectologia. All rights reserved.

Autochthonous Peruvian Natural Plants as Potential SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Main Protease Inhibitors.

Over 750 million cases of COVID-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have been reported since the onset of the global outbreak. The need for effective treatments has spurred intensive research for therapeutic agents based on pharmaceutical repositioning or natural products. In light of prior studies asserting the bioactivity of natural compounds of the autochthonous Peruvian flora, the present study focuses on the identification SARS-CoV-2 Mpro main protease dimer inhibitors. To this end, a target-based virtual screening was performed over a representative set of Peruvian flora-derived natural compounds. The best poses obtained from the ensemble molecular docking process were selected. These structures were subjected to extensive molecular dynamics steps for the computation of binding free energies along the trajectory and evaluation of the stability of the complexes. The compounds exhibiting the best free energy behaviors were selected for in vitro testing, confirming the inhibitory activity of Hyperoside against Mpro, with a Ki value lower than 20 µM, presumably through allosteric modulation.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS USED TO COMBAT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN TWO INDIGENOUS TICUNA COMMUNITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LORETO, PERU

COVID-19 has impacted the Indigenous Amazonian communities of Peru for two consecutive years, compelling them to recover traditional knowledge, practices and strategies to combat it. We present the plant and animal species used by two Ticuna communities in the Peruvian Amazon during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the preparation and administration of the preparations. The information was obtained through semi-structured interviews with men and women from the communities during the first two waves of the pandemic, from May 2020 to June 2021. The interviews were conducted face-to-face, during fieldwork carried out in the communities, and virtual, using the telephone and messaging applications available in the communities or in the nearby major population centers. During fieldwork in Nueva Galilea, visits were made to the collection points of the plant species. Fourteen plant species and three animal species used in the pandemic were identified. The most commonly used parts of the plant species, in order of importance, were the leaves, roots, bulbs and fruits, prepared fresh, and in the form of infusions, baths, and steam inhalations. It is evident how traditional knowledge in the use of plants and animals that heal, in an integrated manner with the appropriation of external knowledge, is still vital in Ticuna communities. Knowledge about the healing properties of fourteen plant species and three identified animal species has made it possible to combat the symptoms of a very aggressive disease. © Association for Jewish Studies 2021.

Interruption of the Use of Contraceptive Methods During the Quarantine By COVID-19 in Peruvian Women

Background: The covid-19 pandemic affected family planning management and the sexual and reproductive rights of couples. Objective(s): To determine the factors associated with the interruption of the use of contraceptive methods during the quarantine by COVID-19 in Peruvian women. Method(s): Analytical and cross-sectional study, which included 342 women who used a contraceptive method before the COVID-19 quarantine, to whom a virtual questionnaire disseminated on social networks was applied. Pearson's chi-square evaluated associations between method discontinuation and the factors studied. Result(s): Of the total number of women, 45% discontinued the use of contraceptive methods during the COVID-19 quarantine. The predominant age range was from 18 to 34 years (93.9%). The factors associated with this interruption were age (p = 0.044), marital status (p < 0.001), parity (p < 0.001), sexual relations (p < 0.001), and searching for information by digital means (p = 0.044). The main reason for stopping use was fear of contagion by COVID-19 (42.8%). Conclusion(s): About half of contraceptive method users interrupted their use during the COVID-19 quarantine, and the factors associated with said interruption were personal, reproductive, and informa-tional. Therefore, health personnel must provide comprehensive care for women, especially in health emergencies.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Health management in care for the Indigenous and Afro-Peruvian population in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To determine the barriers in the management of health facilities that serve the indigenous and Afro-descendant population in Peru. Material(s) and Method(s): A virtual survey on health management was designed for first level health care personnel in 89 health facilities (EESS) in 27 provinces during October and November 2021. Result(s): In 73% of the EESS, the personnel reported not knowing the plan against the third pandemic wave, 14.8% of the EESS reported not being trained in the management of COVID-19, in 22.7% of the EESS they met to coordinate how to face the third pandemic wave, in 83% of the EESS the personnel reported not having a budget for their plan against COVID-19. Conclusion(s): There are barriers in the vision, management and budget in EESS that serve indigenous and Afro-Peruvian populations, which would affect the effective execution of strategies for the control of the pandemic by COVID-19.Copyright © Colegio Medico del Peru. All rights reserved.

PeruSIL: A Framework to Build a Continuous Peruvian Sign Language Interpretation Dataset

Video-based datasets for Continuous Sign Language are scarce due to the challenging task of recording videos from native signers and the reduced number of people who can annotate sign language. COVID-19 has evidenced the key role of sign language interpreters in delivering nationwide health messages to deaf communities. In this paper, we present a framework for creating a multi-modal sign language interpretation dataset based on videos and we use it to create the first dataset for Peruvian Sign Language (LSP) interpretation annotated by hearing volunteers who have intermediate knowledge of PSL guided by the video audio. We rely on hearing people to produce a first version of the annotations, which should be reviewed by native signers in the future. Our contributions: i) we design a framework to annotate a sign Language dataset;ii) we release the first annotated LSP multi-modal interpretation dataset (AEC);iii) we evaluate the annotation done by hearing people by training a sign language recognition model. Our model reaches up to 80.3% of accuracy among a minimum of five classes (signs) AEC dataset, and 52.4% in a second dataset. Nevertheless, analysis by subject in the second dataset show variations worth to discuss. © European Language Resources Association (ELRA), licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0.

Vacunagate: Was it possible to morally justify the Peruvian case?

This article studies the Vacunagate: a scandal during the early-2021 in Peru due to irregular in-oculation of the Sinopharm candidate vaccine against COVID-19 during its experimental stage. We analyze the morality of this case in order to elucidate the public discussion on the conduct and supervision of clinical trials within the context of a Pandemic. We evaluate whether two actions were morally justifiable: (1) the use of a vaccine outside of a clinical trial, and (2) prioritizing some groups in that unusual allocation. These groups are (i) research staff of the clinical trial, (ii) public health officials leading the fight against the Pandemic, (iii) human acquaintances of the first two groups, and (iv) others. As this article is on applied ethics, it follows its methodology: we define the moral, or philosophical, framework and its later applied to the case. The ethical framework for our analysis will be constituted by two kinds of moral princi-ples: democratic and utilitarians. First, we address two principles common to contemporary democ-racies: equal value for all human beings and the necessary public deliberation on issues of common interest. Second, without contradicting these democratic principles, we assess the actions under the application of utilitarian reasoning. Final-ly, based on the WHO MEURI Guide and the men-tioned ethical framework, we describe the missing conditions under which both actions could have been morally justified. © 2022, National University of San Marcos. Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences. All rights reserved.

Biosecurity in the workplace and a QMS during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey for Peruvian goods companies.

Objectives. This study analyzes the differences between goods companies with a Standard No. ISO 9001:2015 quality management system (QMS) and those without, in terms of implementation of biosecurity measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study shows whether having a QMS helped companies to implement the biosecurity measures required to continue operating during a pandemic. Methods. The sample was composed of 145 Peruvian goods companies. The empirical data were collected through a questionnaire sent to company presidents, general managers and department heads. The questionnaire focused on four biosecurity dimensions in the workplace: protocols, preventive actions, biosecurity processes and risk management. Results. The study found that companies with a QMS (Standard No. ISO 9001:2015) significantly differed from companies without in the implementation of three of the four biosecurity dimensions. Conclusions. This study is useful for academia and companies because it identifies the main differences between certified and non-certified companies, in terms of adoption of biosecurity measures. This study highlights the importance of a QMS to respond to hazardous situations like a global health crisis, but also provides useful information for the strategic decision-making process of companies.

Psychological impact and coping strategies in peruvian adults during the Covid-19 pandemic

Objective: To analyze the psychological impact and coping strategies in Peruvian adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative study was developed with 6 males and 4 women, compiled through a semi-structured interview guide. Results: The most stressful situations for peruvian adults were their health vulnerability, the limitation of their freedoms, labor and economic changes, and family conflicts. The psychological impact on them was expressed through emotional distress, physiological, somatic and cognitive changes. And, they used selfcare, compliance with health measures, relaxation, relaxation and entertainment as coping strategies, as well as the reassessment of the situation. Conclusions: The pandemic and compulsory social confinement caused a psychological impact on peruvian adults and they have used active and avoidant coping strategies functional to the context.

Neoliberal model in the Peruvian educational system: Crisis and limitations in the context of a pandemic

The article aims to analyze the Peruvian educational system through the context of a pandemic, highlighting the influence of the neoliberal economic model on the policies proposed in the face of the health emergency. This is why the need to identify current educational gaps in order to recognize perennial inequalities as a result of poor government management capacity to guarantee quality education. From this perspective, an assessment of capitalist influence and its impact on the conduct of competitive demands in digital education is also carried out, as well as the limited response and prevention capacity in the face of the eventual crisis that afflicts not only Peru, but also to the entire Latin American region. In this sense, this research is developed from a qualitative approach under the methodology of theory based on an exploratory and descriptive framework of the previously described phenomenal situation. © 2022 Universidad Nacional Experimental Rafael Maria Baralt. All Rights Reserved.

Consumption of psychoactive substances in the Peruvian population during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychoactive substance use in Peruvian population during the pandemic. Method: The research was a quantitative de- scriptive, non-experimental cross-sectional design. The sam- ple consisted of 1932 subjects of both sexes, aged between 18 and 65 years. For the collection of information, a survey was elaborated with questions related to the consumption of psychoactive substances, work and family information during the pandemic. Results: In the results it was found that people who telework consume more alcohol, tobacco, energizers, tranquilizers and marijuana;those who work remotely have a higher consumption of tranquilizers. Alcohol is the most con- sumed legal drug, followed by tobacco and marijuana. Sub- stance use decreased during the quarantine period. People who consume alcohol presented higher percentages of con- tagion and loss of a family member. They also consider that they have support from their family or friends to cope with a COVID-19 contagion. Conclusions: It is concluded that in the Peruvian population the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana prevails, there is a decrease in the consumption of psychoactive substances;however, consumption contin- ues despite the restrictions established but the Peruvian state and the risks produced by consumption.

Peruvian Students' Knowledge and the Use of Digital Technology during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The population, which lacks knowledge about COVID-19, is at higher risk of getting sick. There are few studies about the knowledge and attitudes that people have during epidemics in South America. This study aims to analyze the knowledge and use of digital technologies of Peruvian students about COVID 19. A 75-item survey was conducted among Peruvian students (N=39), whose ages range from 16 to 29 years. As a result, students have been informed about the evolution of the coronavirus via news, social networks, and search engines. It is relevant to know the use of digital technologies made by students in times of coronavirus since they spread knowledge about the virus worldwide. Information management is a crucial factor in fighting the pandemic. © 2021 IEEE.

Perception of the quality of virtual educational services during the COVID-19 pandemic at the National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP)

This work consists of a second descriptive study on the implementation of the use of virtual education services at the National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP), in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Iquitos, home to UNAP, is a Peruvian city located in the Amazon, with no road connection to the rest of Peru and with a series of limitations in electricity and telecommunications services, which conditions or negatively affects the quality of e-learning services at UNAP. The Peruvian government has suspended face-to-face educational activities since March 2020, motivated by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the main cities of Peru, so digital tools are being used as mechanisms for the continuity of educational services. For this descriptive research, the survey method was used. The surveys have been designed based on the usefulness of virtual services using the UNE 66181:2008 Standard, considering indicators such as the levels of Information, Employability, Ease of assimilation and Accessibility. Virtual teaching is carried out at UNAP through the following tools: Zoom, Google Meet, Youtube, Whatsapp, Moodle and others. The results of this second experience, unlike the first study, show that the participating students have improved their perception of the quality of university educational services through virtual media. At the same time, the low quality of connectivity and the low penetration of the use of technologies among teachers are still limiting factors. © 2021 IEEE.

Mobile application for the dissemination, learning and revitalisation of the native Muniche language in the Peruvian Amazon, in the context of Covid-19

The present work comprises the conceptualisation, design, development and validation of the software called 'Jiaminchií', created to support educational processes in times of COVID-19 and the recovery of the Muniche language. The Muniches are an endangered indigenous Peruvian nation located in the province of Alto Amazonas in the Loreto region. The research group proposes as educational tools the use of mobile software applications to continue with the educational service in indigenous communities, which is a complex problem in Peru, considering the limitations and conditions generated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The application has been conceptualised based on the basic contents for learning the Muniche language (review of the dictionary and other documentation), the community of Villa Muniche has been visited and the participation of one of the 3 speakers has been achieved through the generation of a sound bank based on the prioritised contents. The validation included a test group with children from indigenous communities. Two groups were formed, the first used the software and the second received the same contents using the traditional method. Among the most important results, it can be mentioned that the use of the 'Jiaminchií' application in the education of the indigenous communities of Alto Amazonas overcomes a series of limitations typical of schools in the indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon. © 2021 IEEE.

Gamification for Infectious Diseases Medical Education: Creating a Videogame to Teach COVID 19 Diagnosis and Treatment to Medical Students

Background. Brazillian authorities reported a total of 16.3 million cases and 454. 000 deaths during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil by may 2021. It became necessary to educate healthcare professionals on diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome. Game based learning surfaced as an effective alternative, since it promotes critical thinking and problem solving skills. A team of Brazilian and Peruvian students, physicians, designers and programmers gathered to create a decision based computer game that simulates a hospital scenario and allows medical students to analise, make decisions and receive feedback. This work describes the creative process and showcase the initial version of the software. Methods. Professors and students of Medicine, Information Technology (IT), Design and Architecture from Brazil and Peru assembled a team in order to develop the computer game. Clinical cases were created by the medical students and professors, comprising medical procedures for the treatment and management of COVID 19, and a video game script was developed exploring gamification principles of challenge, objectivity, persistence, failure, reward and feedback. Algorithms (image 1) were created, under supervision of professors of Medicine, to define possible courses of action and outcomes (e.g. gain or loss of points, improvement or worsening of the patient). Students of Design created artistic elements, and IT students programmed with a game engine software. This fluxogram, written in portuguese, describes in detail all the possible courses of actions that can be exercised by the player. It is created by a team of Professors of Medicine and medical students, in accordance with evidence-based guidelines. Primarily, this document guides the programmers and designers throughout the development phase of the game. Results. Initially, an expandable minimum viable product was obtained. The game, visualized on image 2, consists in a non-playable character and a playable character (i.e. doctor), with a scenario and a dialogue script simulating a clinical examination of a COVID 19 patient. The player can interact with certain elements within the game, e.g. the computer and other characters, to retrieve test results or start dialogues with relevant information. Hospital scenario and dialogue window between doctor (player in black) and patient (non playable character) are displayer in the game engine software (Unity 2D). On the bottom half of the screen, the dialogue box allows the player to collect the patient's medical history. The player can interact with certain elements to obtain relevant information to make decision and progress in the game. Conclusion. The game allows medical students to practice diagnosis and treatment of COVID 19. Future versions will include assessment reports of player's actions, and a new score system will be implemented. New diseases will be incorporated in the gameplay to match the variety of scenarios offered by real hospitals and patients. Artificial intelligence will be employed to optimize gameplay, feedback and learning.

Food consumption and food waste behaviour in households in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose This research aims to understand the behaviour of food consumption and waste in Peruvian households at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Exploratory research was carried out with Peruvian households, using a descriptive method design. Data were analysed using descriptive and multivariate statistics. A self-administered questionnaire of 60 questions was used, applied by social networks in May 2020, obtaining 418 valid questionnaires. Findings The main findings allow the identification of a behaviour aiming the avoidance of waste and purchasing with a cost-benefit orientation, which is followed by purchase planning, knowledge and use of information on labels, food storage and cooking skills. Practical implications For companies in the food sector, relevant information is provided on consumer behaviour. For policymakers, elements are provided for the promotion of responsible consumption and zero waste. For the academy, an explanation is provided of how and in what way crises influence the behaviour of food consumption and waste. Social implications Environmental-friendly and responsible consumption behaviour need to be supported, as well as to make consumers aware of the costs of food waste. These measures could be fostered by collective action that includes different actors - from civil society, the private and public sectors - and contribute to a sustainable solution, focused on improving consumption patterns and food waste. Originality/value The novelty of this research is based on exploring the understanding of the existing relation among food consumer behaviour, in a context of crisis, towards food waste prevention and avoidance, cost-benefit orientation and the knowledge about labelling, storage and handling.

Clinical Performance of The call Score for the Prediction of Admission to ICU and Death in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19 Pneumonia in a Reference Hospital in Peru

Objective: Determine the CALL SCORE's diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of ICU admission and death in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia in a reference hospital in Peru. Methods: We performed an analytical cross-sectional observational study. We included patients with COVID-19 pneumonia treated at the "Dos de Mayo" National Hospital. Patients over 18 years old with a diagnosis confirmed by rapid or molecular testing were included. Those with an incomplete, illegible, or missing medical history and/or bacterial or fungal pneumonia were excluded. Data were extracted from medical records. The primary outcomes were mortality and admission to the ICU. The Call Score was calculated for each patient (4 to 13 points) and classified into three risk groups. Summary measures were presented for qualitative and quantitative variables. The area under the model curve and the operational characteristics (sensitivity, specificity) were calculated for the best cut-off point. Results: The Call Score reported an area under the curve of 0.59 (IC95%: 0.3 to 0.07), p = 0.43 for predicting death. However, for a cut-off point of 5.5, a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 65% were obtained. The area under the curve for ICU admission was 0.67 (95%CI: 0.3 to 0.07), p = 0.43;the 5.5 cut-off point showed a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 51%. Conclusions: The Call Score shows a low performance for predicting mortality and admission to the ICU in Peruvian patients.