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This study analyses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the division of domestic work as regards women in opposite-gender relationships, telecommuting and living as a couple, during the first lockdown in Portugal. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected (N = 171) to understand women's perceptions of time spent on unpaid work, satisfaction, and main difficulties in this period. Results revealed women's dissatisfaction, especially mothers of underage children, who perceived an increase in caregiving tasks. Women's satisfaction also impacted their perception of the causes for these gender asymmetries. The less satisfied women ascribe gender inequalities mainly to socio-normative factors and gender stereotypes, while the more satisfied women ascribe them to aspects of socialisation and upbringing, as well as innate dispositions that differ between men and women. The trend towards more equality found prior to Covid-19 was not found. © 2022 Associacao Portuguesa de Estudos sobre as Mulheres. All rights reserved.
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Ozone-based technologies have been evaluated to inactivate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on surfaces. However, the vast diversity of information makes it difficult to establish common ground for determining the best practices for using this technology. The objective of this work is to evaluate the success of N95 mask decontamination by ozonation, determining the specific parameters for process control. To quantify the effectiveness of the process, a disinfection protocol was initially developed based on two bacterial species (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius), followed by another disinfection assay using the murine hepatitis coronavirus (MHV-3), in a laboratory-scale prototype. Ozone is an effective candidate for use against SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses to disinfect personal protection equipment (PPE). © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Background: The impact of severe COVID-19 in nocturnal hypoventilation and respiratory muscles/cough strength is unknown. Aim(s): Characterize respiratory function in post-ICU COVID-19 patients and correlate these findings with COVID-19 associated outcomes. Method(s): Retrospective study with 55 post-ICU COVID-19 patients admitted to a rehabilitation center (RC). Clinical data were collected and patients performed arterial blood gas analysis, nocturnal oxy-capnography, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and peak cough flow (PCF) at admission. Result(s): Mean age was 64.4+/-10.2 years, 39 (70.9%) were male. Co-morbidities were present in 50 (90.9%): 39 (70.9%) hypertension;20 (36.4%) diabetes;3 (5.5%) OSA;1 (1.8%) COPD. None had neuromuscular disorders. Median of ICU length was 25.5 (min 5;max 190) days. Fifty-three (96.4%) needed mechanical and invasive ventilation, 6 (10.9%) ECMO and 22 (40%) tracheostomy (all decannulated before admission to our RC). Eighteen (32.7%) had criteria of nocturnal hypoventilation, 17 (30.9%) inspiratory, 16 (29.1%) expiratory and 17 (30.9%) cough weakness. Sepsis correlated with increased length of ICU stay (p=0.007) and with lower PCF values (p=0.048). Neurologic disfunction was associated with lower minimum SpO2 and more time of SpO2<88% (p=0.032;p=0.035). Renal disfunction was associated with higher values of mean and maximum TcCO2 (p=0.003;p=0.011). Patients with previously diagnosed OSA had higher values of MIP and PCF (p=0.006;p<0.001) at evaluation. Conclusion(s): In COVID-19 ICU survivors, nocturnal hypoventilation, inspiratory/expiratory muscle and cough weakness are common and may have an impact in rehabilitation outcomes.
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E-commerce has become a booming market for wildlife trafficking, as online platforms are increasingly more accessible and easier to navigate by sellers, while still lacking adequate supervision. Artificial intelligence models, and specifically deep learning, have been emerging as promising tools for the automated analysis and monitoring of digital online content pertaining to wildlife trade. Here, we used and fine-tuned freely available artificial intelligence models (i.e., convolutional neural networks) to understand the potential of these models to identify instances of wildlife trade. We specifically focused on pangolin species, which are among the most trafficked mammals globally and receiving increasing trade attention since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our convolutional neural networks were trained using online images (available from iNaturalist, Flickr and Google) displaying both traded and non-traded pangolin settings. The trained models showed great performances, being able to identify over 90 % of potential instances of pangolin trade in the considered imagery dataset. These instances included the showcasing of pangolins in popular marketplaces (e.g., wet markets and cages), and the displaying of commonly traded pangolin parts and derivates (e.g., scales) online. Nevertheless, not all instances of pangolin trade could be identified by our models (e.g., in images with dark colours and shaded areas), leaving space for further research developments. The methodological developments and results from this exploratory study represent an advancement in the monitoring of online wildlife trade. Complementing our approach with other forms of online data, such as text, would be a way forward to deliver more robust monitoring tools for online trafficking. © 2023 The Author(s)
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Despite the rapid and continuous development of communication and networking technologies, the goal of universal connectivity (i.e., the ability to communicate with any user at any time and in any place) is still unrealized. In 2019, a study [1] found that 40% of Earth's regions lack network coverage, which means that there are still 4 billion people on the planet without Internet access. Moreover, even as the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for online working, learning, and accessing services-and, thus, increased the number of Internet users-2.9 billion people remain offline in developing countries [2]. Satellite communications (SatCom) have been emerging as a potential and indispensable solution to extending broadband coverage to underserved areas [2]. © 2000-2012 IEEE.
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Keywords: Core Muscles;Functional Capacity;Peak Cough Flow;Hospitalized Patients;Case Report Introduction The "core" has been used to refer a three-dimensional space, the lumbopelvic-hip complex, which involves deeper muscles, such as the internal oblique, transverses abdominals, transversospinalis (multifidus, rotators, semispinalis), quadratus lumborum, and psoas major and minor, and superficial muscles, such as the rectus abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae (iliocostalis, spinalis, longissimus) latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus and medius, hamstrings, and rectus femoris [1, 2]. At the beginning of the session HR, respiratory rate (RR), SpO2, Blood pressure (BP), dyspnea (using the MBS) was monitored for all patients and for those who have diabetes was also monitored glucose levels. Personal history (PH) of SARS-CoV2 pneumonia in March 2021 (hospitalized for 1 month in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) using mechanically invasive ventilation), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) treated with premixed insulin, polyneuropathy for more than 10 years, arterial hypertension (AH), chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary heart disease (placement stent in 2010), dyslipidaemia, chronic gastritis, lithiasis and renal cysts.
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Digital nomadism is a relatively recent tourism segment associated with the generalization of information and communication technologies (ICTs), having increased notoriety and relevance with the COVID-19 pandemic. This public is characterized by professionals who exclusively work online, while having an independent lifestyle, balancing work and leisure. This research aims to understand if the Trás-os-Montes Lands (a small region in the northeast of Portugal) hold the necessary conditions to position itself as an attractive destination for digital nomads. To this end, a macro analysis of the characteristics of this territory and the tourist accommodation in the region was carried out. In view of the results obtained it was found that although Trás-os-Montes Lands have touristic potential ability to meet the particular needs of the digital nomads segment, it is necessary an action plan to enhance the attractiveness of the destination for this audience. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
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Introduction/Objectives: The Corona Virus Disease 0/2019 (COVID-19) has taken a major toll on the public health system, with restrictions in all clinical activity, from consultations and exams to number and type of surgeries. Patients apprehension to resort to medical aid and hospitals leads to late admissions and, in our perception, more severe presentations of the underlying pathology, namely, in Chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI). Need for testing prior to non-emergent surgery causes larger delays in the referral of patients, and this, added to the reduction of surgical times andlCU availability, potentially results in worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the type pathology that was treated during the emergency state and to compare the outcome of the surgical procedures with the same period of 2018 and 2019. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the patient charts from patients submitted to surgery in the months of March and April of the year 2020 was conducted and compared to the same period on the previous two years. The primary endpoint was death at 30 days or during hospital stay and the secondary endpoints were pathology classification, grade of ischemia, amputation, amputation level, type of surgery (endovascular, conventional or hybrid), time of hospital stay and reintervention. Results: There were 98 patients submitted to surgery in the COVID period (CP), compared to 286 in the Non-COVID period (NCP). There was no significant difference in the age (70 years (17-98) in the CP vs. 69 (17-92) in the NCP, p=.i3) or sex profile of the patients (76% male (n=74) in the CP vs. 70% (n=i96) in the NCP, p=.26). There was no statistical differ¬ence in mortality (5% (n=5) in the CP vs. 5% (n=i3) in the NCP, p=.88). There was a statistically significant decrease in conventional surgery (43% (n=u2) in the CP vs. 57% (n=i6 4) in the NCP, p=.04), but no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay(io (0-77) days in the CP vs. 7 (0-118) in the NCP, p=.6), and reintervention (18% (n=i8) in the CP vs. 16% (n=45) in the NCP, p=.s8). PAD corresponded to 75% (n=73) of the admissions in the CP vs. 48% (n=i37) in the NCP, p=.02. CLTI corresponded to 99% (n=70) of the PAD population in the CP, vs. 93% (n=n 4) in the NCP, p=.i, with a significant increase in the number of patients presenting with Rutherford Grades 5 and 6 (81% (n=57) in the CP, vs. 68% (n=77) in the NCP, p=.03). There was a non-significant decrease in amputation rate (35% (n-25) vs. 40% (n=49J, P-49) and increase of major limb amputation (52% (0=13) vs. 39% (n=i9), p=.27). The second mostfrequent pathology was aneurysmal aortic and iliac disease, but there was a statistically significant reduction in the number of patients treated (5% (n=s) in the CP vs. 13% (n=36) in the NCP, p=.os). All aortic aneurysms treated in 2020 were ruptured (100% (n=s) vs. 42% (n=is) in the NCP, p=o.2). There was no significant difference in mortality in urgent aortic aneurysm repair between groups (60% (n=3) in the CP vs. 47% (n-7) in the NCP, p-.77). Conclusions: COVID-19 restrictions manifested mainly in the type of pathology treated and the number of patients operated on. The gravity of the underlying pathology, manifested by more serious wounds and advanced CLTI at presentation, did not increase mortality nor was reflected on limb amputations rates. Aortic and iliac aneurismal disease was the second most common pathologytreated but with a significant decrease in total number of cases and no significant difference in mortality.
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The Covid-19 pandemic generated an unprecedented global health outbreak and economic crisis. Therefore, and due to the growing attention given to its effects on the tourism sector and the numerous predictions made at both micro and macro levels, this study seeks to understand the transformations in tourist consumer behavior caused by the covid-19 pandemic. Thus, based on several assumptions, an explanatory model was built that addresses both the demand side (new consumer preferences) and the supply side (measures and strategies to combat the impacts generated by the perceived risk acquired during the confinement period). In this context, in view of the results obtained, it was concluded that this crisis had a permanent impact on consumer behavior, accelerating the migration to online, with a greater emphasis on safety, hygiene and health, as well as environmental and financial awareness. © 2021 AISTI.
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Introduction: Good quality and real-time epidemiological COVID-19 data are paramount to fight this pandemic through statistical/machine-learning based decision-making support mechanisms. Aims: Evaluate the resources available and used to gather COVID-19 epidemiological data by Portuguese health authorities from the onset of the pandemic until December 2020. The analysis laid on two main topics: (a) work processes at the Public Health Unit (PHU) level and (b) registry forms for epidemiological reporting and control procedures. Recommendations on requirements to overcome problems related to data integration and interoperability in order to build robust decision-making support mechanisms will also be produced. Methods: For topic (a), we revised the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health (DGS) guidelines for data treatment. For topic (b), we analysed the forms used during first and second waves, while comparing them with DGS metadata provided to researchers. Results: On topic (a), we detected the use of two complementary and non-interoperable systems. Further, the workflow does not seem to promote data quality and facilitates the occurrence of communication problems between health professionals. On topic (b), we found 27 deleted questions, 6 new questions, 1 displaced question, and 1 text modification between the 2 form versions. Discussion: Both the workflow and data gathering methods are not the best suited for the generation of good quality data. They do not effectively support Public Health Professionals (PHP) nor provide the elements for posterior data analysis. The use of data by decision-making support mechanisms demands a careful planning of the data used to depict reality, and this condition is not met by the currently used forms. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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The use of digital content has become a powerful tool to evaluate and track macro-scale trends in human-nature relations. This is an emerging field of study known as conservation culturomics, that seeks to understand human culture through quantitative analysis in large bodies of digital content. Here, we used relative search volume on Google Search as a culturomic metric of public interest to investigate the global impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic on national parks (NPs). Specifically, we focus on the impacts of limiting people's mobility (through social isolation and lock-down measures) on public interest in NPs, since this is likely to have a strong causal relationship with park visitation. We generated public interest data for 2411 NPs from around the world for the period January 2016 to July 2020, to explore the relationship between relative search volume and periods of greater and lesser mobility restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed a global trend of declining public interest in national parks during the initial phase of the coronavirus pandemic, although there was considerable variation between both parks and countries. For example, contrary to the global trend public interest in NPs increased in Finland during the first lock-down. Significantly, countries whose national parks are highly dependent on international visitors (e.g., South Africa and India) had very severe declines in public interest. Our study reinforces the key role that visitation plays in driving public interest in national parks and illustrates the utility of culturomic methods for monitoring human-park interactions at scale. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
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In times of COVID-19 and isolation, many are the challenges related to a proper balance between patient's personal and sensitive data privacy and protection, and the need to use those data to better understand the disease and act in a more efficient and quick manner, to fight it. Some research is available on how to tackle a few of these issues in isolation, however, there is a need for a more comprehensive overview of what are the current security challenges, what is being done to face them, and what still needs addressing. Since the control of this pandemic depends on the actions of every individual, when there is no trust in the technology or services provided, allied to the fear and uncertainty of the current context, it is very difficult to provide an integrated and informed response to this disease. The main goal of this paper is to expose and address vulnerabilities and risks associated to patients' data protection and COVID-19. Thirty-two direct, and 25 indirect consequences of COVID-19 to data privacy and cybersecurity, were identified. There is the need for more comprehensive and resilient solutions addressed by the research community, from multidisciplinary sources of knowledge. © Proceedings of the 12th IADIS International Conference e-Health 2020, EH 2020 - Part of the 14th Multi Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems, MCCSIS 2020. All rights reserved.