Do Adolescents Adopt the Prosocial Behaviors of the Classmates They Like? A Social Network Analysis on Prosocial Contagion.

While the influence of high-status peers on maladaptive behaviors is well-documented, socialization processes of prosocial behavior through high-status peers remain understudied. This study examined whether adolescents' prosocial behavior was influenced by the prosocial behavior of the peers they liked and whether this effect was stronger when the peers they liked were also well-liked by their classmates. Three waves of data, six months apart, were collected among Chilean early adolescents who completed peer nominations and ratings at Time 1 (n = 294, Mage = 13.29, SD = 0.62; 55.1% male), Time 2 (n = 282), and Time 3 (n = 275). Longitudinal social network analyses showed that adolescents adopted the prosocial behavior of the classmates they liked - especially if these classmates were well-liked by peers in general. In addition, adolescents low in likeability were more susceptible to this influence than adolescents high in likeability. The influence resulted both in increases and - especially - decreases in prosocial behavior, depending on the level of prosociality of the liked peer. Findings suggest that likeability represents an important aspect of peer status that may be crucial for understanding the significance of peer influence with respect to prosocial behaviors during adolescence. Pre-Registration: https://osf.io/u4pxm .

Factors associated with the presence of fear of contagion and burnout syndrome in nursing personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing personnel presented a higher prevalence of fear of contagion, anxiety symptoms, depression, and burnout syndrome. However, the variables associated with these conditions in Mexico are unknown. Objective: To determine the clinical, sociodemographic, and psychological variables associated with fear of contracting COVID-19 and burnout syndrome in nursing personnel. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional correlational study. It included 423 Mexican nursing professionals, working in public and private institutions, of different specialties aged 18-61 years (M = 36 years), the sampling was non-probabilistic by convenience. The instruments used were: COVID-19 fear scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyse the results. Results: The factors associated with fear of contagion were anxiety symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR]: 7.806, p < 0.05), caring for patients with COVID-19 (OR: 5.460, p < 0.05, 0.001) and mild emotional exhaustion (OR: 5.181, p < 0.05). The syndrome dimensions were: depressive symptoms (OR: 12.062; 7.667, p < 0.05), fear of contagion (OR: 4.978; 4.913; 4.921; 4.921, p < 0.01), marital status (OR: 3.404; 3.219, p < 0.05) and young age (OR: 1.064; 1.084, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The factors associated with fear of contagion and burnout syndrome found were having clinical psychological symptoms, as well as being young, being single, being married and being in the health system caring for patients with COVID-19.

Factors Associated with the Level of Knowledge about Biosafety against COVID-19 in Peruvian Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study under a Multivariable Regression Model.

AIM: Biosafety is a set of preventive measures aimed at controlling risk factors arising from biological, physical, and/or chemical agents. This topic is particularly important in the dental field since saliva is the main biological agent of the transmission of coronavirus. The present study aimed to determine the factors associated with the level of knowledge about biosafety against COVID-19 in Peruvian dentistry students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study evaluated 312 Peruvian dentistry students. A validated 20-question questionnaire was used to measure the level of knowledge. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare levels of knowledge between categories of each variable. A logit model was used to evaluate associated factors such as sex, age, marital status, place of origin, academic year of study, being in the academic upper third, history of COVID-19, and living with vulnerable family members. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: 36.2%, 31.4%, and 32.4% presented poor, fair, and good knowledge levels, respectively. Students under 25 years of age were 64% less likely to pass the biosafety against COVID-19 questionnaire than students 25 years of age and older (OR = 0.36; CI: 0.20-0.66). Students in the academic upper third were nine times more likely to pass the test than other students (OR = 9.38; CI: 4.61-19.07). Finally, third-year students were 52% less likely to pass the exam than fifth-year students (OR = 0.48; CI: 0.28-0.83). CONCLUSION: Only a minority of dentistry students had a good level of knowledge about biosafety against COVID-19. Younger and less educated students were more likely to fail the questionnaire. On the other hand, those students with outstanding academic performance were more likely to pass the questionnaire.

Clap, Clap, Clap - Unsystematic Review Essay on Clapping and Applause.

The rationale for the following unsystematic review article is to provide a dense description of clapping behavior from an ethological, psychological, anthropological, sociological, ontological, and even physiological perspective. The article delves into its historical uses, possible biological-ethological evolution, and primitive and cultural polysemic-multipurpose social functions. It explores the different distal and immediate messages transmitted by the simple act of clapping, to its more complex attributes like synchronicity, social contagion, as a device of social status signaling, soft biometric data, and its, till now, mysterious subjective experience. The subtle distinction between clapping and applause will be explored. A list of primary social functions will be introduced based on the literature on clapping. In addition, a series of unresolved questions and possible research avenues will be suggested. In contrast, out of the scope of the essay and published as a second article will be the contents of clapping morphological variations and a comprehensive description of purposes achieved through them.

Concern about the Spread of COVID-19 in Regular Basic Education Teachers When Returning to Face-to-Face Classes.

During the health emergency caused by COVID-19, a series of sensations such as fear, stress, and concern about contracting the virus were developed. Despite the fact that in recent months infection rates have been significantly reduced due to vaccination campaigns, the return of teachers to face-to-face classes established in Peru from April 2022 has increased once again the fear that contagion levels could grow. Therefore, the objective was to analyze the concern of regular basic education teachers about the spread of COVID-19 when returning to face-to-face classes. A quantitative investigation was carried out; the research design was observational and the type of study was descriptive cross-sectional. The sample was made up of 648 teachers who responded to the Scale of Concern for the Contagion of COVID-19, an instrument with adequate psychometric properties. The results show that 43.8% of teachers had moderate levels of concern about the spread of COVID-19, 38.7% had low levels, and 17.5% had high levels. Teachers reported most recurrent concerns about some risks in educational institutions and the fear of spreading COVID-19 to their relatives or people with whom they lived. On the other hand, it was found that some sociodemographic, occupational, and medical variables were significantly associated with this concern (p < 0.05). Then, it was concluded that teachers had moderate levels of concern about the spread of COVID-19 when returning to face-to-face classes.

Scale of concern about COVID-19 infection in Peruvian Health Care Workers.

INTRODUCTION: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated concern about contagion, especially among healthcare workers who are on the front line. OBJECTIVE: To design and analyse the evidence of content validity, internal structure and reliability of a measure of concern about the spread of COVID-19 among Peruvian healthcare workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative study and instrumental design. The scale was administered to 321 health science professionals (78 males and 243 females), whose ages ranged from 22 to 64 years (38.12 ±â€¯9.61). RESULTS: Aiken's V-coefficient values were statistically significant. An exploratory factor analysis was performed which indicated the existence of a single factor, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed a satisfactory six-factor model. The CFA solution obtained adequate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.079; P = .05; TLI = 0.967; IFC = 0.980; GFI = 0.971, and AGFI = 0.931), and showed good internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.865; CI 95%, 0.83-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The scale of concern for COVID-19 infection is a valid and reliable brief measure that can be used for research and professional purposes.

Escala de preocupación por el contagio de la COVID-19 en personal de la salud peruano

Introducción: La pandemia mundial producida por el SARS-CoV-2 ha generado preocupación por el contagio, sobre todo en el personal de salud que está en primera línea. Objetivo: Diseñar y analizar las evidencias de validez de contenido, estructura interna y confiabilidad de una medida de preocupación por el contagio de COVID-19 en personal de salud peruano. Material y métodos: Estudio cuantitativo y diseño instrumental. La escala se aplicó a 321 profesionales de ciencias de la salud (78 varones y 243 mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 22 y los 64 (38,12 ± 9,61) an os. Resultados: Los valores del coeficiente V de Aiken fueron estadísticamente significativos. Se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio, que indicó la existencia de un solo factor. El análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) confirmó un modelo satisfactorio de 6 ítems en 1 solo factor. La solución del AFC obtuvo índices de ajuste adecuados (RMSEA = 0,079; p = 0,05; TLI = 0,967; CFI = 0,980; GFI = 0,971 y AGFI = 0,931); además; mostró una buena consistencia interna según el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (a = 0,865; IC95%, 0,83-0,89). Conclusiones: La escala de preocupación por el contagio de la COVID-19 es una medida breve válida y confiable que se puede utilizar para fines de investigación y función profesional.

A B S T R A C T Introduction: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated concern about contagion, especially among healthcare workers who are on the front line. Objective: To design and analyse the evidence of content validity, internal structure and reliability of a measure of concern about the spread of COVID-19 among Peruvian healthcare workers. Material and methods: Quantitative study and instrumental design. The scale was administered to 321 health science professionals (78 males and 243 females), whose ages ranged from 22 to 64 years (38.12±9.61). Results: Aiken's V-coefficient values were statistically significant. An exploratory factor analysis was performed which indicated the existence of a single factor, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed a satisfactory six-factor model. The CFA solution obtained adequate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.079; p = 0.05; TLI = 0.967; IFC = 0.980; GFI = 0.971, and AGFI = 0.931), and showed good internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient (a = 0.865; CI 95%, 0.83-0.89). Conclusions: The scale of concern for COVID-19 infection is a valid and reliable brief measure that can be used for research and professional purposes.

Participación social, comunitaria e intersectorial para prevenir la COVID-19 en el adulto mayor / Social, Community and Intersectoral Involvement for Preventing COVID-19 in the Elderly Adult

Introducción: La COVID-19 representa un panorama particularmente estremecedor en los adultos mayores, debido a la alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Diseñar acciones para su atención integral constituye una prioridad de la salud pública en Cuba y un poderoso instrumento para la prevención de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Diseñar acciones comunitarias e intersectoriales para la COVID-19 en el adulto mayor. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental de intervención mediante acciones comunitarias e intersectoriales para prevenir la COVID-19 en los adultos mayores pertenecientes al consultorio 16 del Policlínico Guillermo Tejas Silva, en el período de abril a diciembre del 2020. El universo estuvo constituido por 134 gerontes y la muestra de 110. Se desarrolló en tres etapas. Se evaluó el impacto de la intervención. Resultados: Predominaron las gerontes femeninas (50,9 por ciento), las edades de 60-64 años (32,2 por ciento) y los independientes activos (45,5 por ciento). Con la aplicación de la estrategia se aumentó el nivel de conocimiento de los seniles (91,8 por ciento), se controló el 100 por ciento de las enfermedades, se redujeron los trastornos emocionales en un 78,4 por ciento y se diseñaron 185 acciones comunitarias para prevenir la COVID-19 en el adulto mayor. Conclusiones: La sostenibilidad en el control de la COVID -19 en el adulto mayor requiere de la movilización y participación de todos los sectores de la sociedad y la economía, unidos en un esfuerzo conjunto que sustente las acciones comunitarias(AU)

Introduction: COVID-19 is a particularly frightening scenario for elderly adults, due to high morbidity and mortality. Designing actions for the comprehensive management of this disease is a public health priority in Cuba and a powerful instrument for preventing it. Objective: To design community and intersectoral actions for COVID-19 in elderly people. Methods: A quasiexperimental intervention study was carried out by means of community and intersectoral actions for preventing COVID-19 in elderly people from the family doctor's office 16 of Policlínico Guillermo Tejas Silva, in the period from April to December 2020. The study universe was made up of 134 elderly people and the sample was 110. It was developed in three stages. The impact of the intervention was evaluated. Results: Female elderly people were predominant (50.9 percent), together with ages 60-64 years (32.2 percent) and the condition of active independent (45.5 percent) with the implementation of the strategy, the level of knowledge of the senile increased (91.8 percent), 100 percentof the diseases were controlled, emotional disorders were reduced by 78.4 percent, and 185 community actions were designed to prevent COVID-19 in the elderly people. Conclusions: Sustainability in the control of COVID-19 in the elderly people requires the mobilization and involvement of all sectors of society and the economy, united in a joint effort that sustains community actions(AU)

How to Understand Them? A Review of Emotional Indicators in Horses.

Stabled horses often experience negative emotions due to the inappropriate living conditions imposed by humans. However, identifying what emotions horses experience and what can trigger positive and negative emotions in stabled horses can be challenging. In this article we present a brief history of the study of emotions and models that explain emotions from a scientific point of view and the physiological bases and functions of emotions. We then review and discuss physiological and behavioral indicators and cognitive bias tests developed to assess emotions in horses. Hormone concentrations, body temperature, the position of the ears, facial expressions and behaviors, such as approach and avoidance behaviors, can provide valuable information about emotional states in horses. The cognitive bias paradigm is a recent and robust tool to assess emotions in horses. Knowing how to evaluate the intensity and frequency of an individual's emotions can guide horse owners and caretakers to identify practices and activities that should be stimulated, avoided or even banned from the individual's life, in favor of a life worth living. The development and validation of novel indicators of emotions considering positive and negative contexts can help in these actions.

A Spatial Kinetic Model of Crowd Evacuation Dynamics with Infectious Disease Contagion.

This paper proposes a kinetic theory approach coupling together the modeling of crowd evacuation from a bounded domain with exit doors and infectious disease contagion. The spatial movement of individuals in the crowd is modeled by a proper description of the interactions with people in the crowd and the environment, including walls and exits. At the same time, interactions among healthy and infectious individuals may generate disease spreading if exposure time is long enough. Immunization of the population and individual awareness to contagion is considered as well. Interactions are modeled by tools of game theory, that let us propose the so-called tables of games that are introduced in the general kinetic equations. The proposed model is qualitatively studied and, through a series of case studies, we explore different scenarios related to crowding and gathering formation within indoor venues under the spread of a respiratory infectious disease, obtaining insights on specific policies to reduce contagion that may be implemented.

[Scale of Concern about COVID-19 Infection in Peruvian Health Care Workers]. / Escala de preocupación por el contagio de la COVID-19 en personal de la salud peruano.

Introduction: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated concern about contagion, especially among healthcare workers who are on the front line. Objective: To design and analyse the evidence of content validity, internal structure and reliability of a measure of concern about the spread of COVID-19 among Peruvian healthcare workers. Material and methods: Quantitative study and instrumental design. The scale was administered to 321 health science professionals (78 males and 243 females), whose ages ranged from 22 to 64 years (38.12 ± 9.61). Results: Aiken's V-coefficient values were statistically significant. An exploratory factor analysis was performed which indicated the existence of a single factor, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed a satisfactory six-factor model. The CFA solution obtained adequate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.079; p = 0.05; TLI = 0.967; IFC = 0.980; GFI = 0.971, and AGFI = 0.931), and showed good internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.865; CI 95%, 0.83-0.89). Conclusions: The scale of concern for COVID-19 infection is a valid and reliable brief measure that can be used for research and professional purposes.

Gestión mSalud para la atención pacientes con Covid-19 / mHealth management for patient care with COVID-19

El SARS-CoV-2, ha tenido un gran impacto en la salud humana a nivel mundial, infectando a un gran número de personas y causando enfermedades graves. Durante el comienzo de la pandemia de Covid-19 no había la existencia de alguna cura o vacuna designada, la única forma conocida de romper la cadena de infección era el autoaislamiento y el mantenimiento del distanciamiento físico. Por lo tanto, con la finalidad de conocer y hacer un seguimiento para la correcta gestión y atención a los pacientes con Covid­19, las nuevas herramientas tecnológicas han cobrado un importante papel que ha permitido mejorar la atención en salud con respecto a la enfermedad y ayudar a evitar los contagios, así como favorecer a un buen pronóstico y progresión positiva de la enfermedad. Por medio de la revisión de publicaciones científicas actuales se ha podido observar la amplia implementación de diferentes apps para agilizar el reconocimiento, detección y diagnóstico oportuno de pacientes que contraen esta enfermedad, como la aplicación de rastreo de contacto, reconocimiento facial, Chatbot, APP para radiografías de tórax­Covid, dispositivo móvil basado en IoT, entre otros. Todas estas nuevas tecnologías presentan un importante impacto socioepidemiologico en las regiones a través de la disminución de la mortalidad, permitir el distanciamiento físico, detección oportuna, seguimiento geográfico y mapeo epidemiológico, reducción de los tiempos de espera y control de la propagación del covid; permitiendo a los sistemas de salud organizarse y prepararse mejor para futuras pandemias y así evitar el colapso de las redes de salud(AU)

SARS-CoV-2 has had a great impact on human health worldwide, infecting large numbers of people and causing serious illness. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic there was no designated cure or vaccine, the only known way to break the chain of infection was self-isolation and maintaining physical distancing. Therefore, in order to know and follow up for the correct management and care of patients with COVID - 19, the new technological tools have played an important role that has allowed improving health care regarding the disease and help avoid contagion, as well as favor a good prognosis and positive progression of the disease. Through the review of current scientific publications, it has been possible to observe the wide implementation of different apps to expedite the recognition, detection and timely diagnosis of patients who contract this disease, such as the application of contact tracing, facial recognition, Chatbot, APP for chest x-rays ­ Covid, IoT-based mobile device, among others. All these new technologies have a significant socio-epidemiological impact in the regions by reducing mortality, allowing physical distancing, timely detection, geographic monitoring and epidemiological mapping, reduction of waiting times and control of the spread of covid; allowing health systems to better organize and prepare for future pandemics and thus avoid the collapse of health networks(AU)

Diferencias entre formas de contagio intra y extradomiciliaria en tres brotes epidémicos de COVID-19 en Santiago de Cuba / Differences between Forms of Intra- and Extra-Domiciliary Contagion in Three Epidemic Outbreaks of COVID-19 in Santiago de Cuba

Introducción: En la transmisión de la COVID-19 en Santiago de Cuba se distinguieron tres brotes epidémicos entre 2020 y 2021. Objetivo: Identificar las diferencias entre los contagios intra y extradomiciliarios en tres brotes epidémicos de COVID-19 en Santiago de Cuba entre marzo de 2020 y mayo de 2021. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de los casos de COVID-19 del territorio y el período referidos, mediante las técnicas bivariadas habituales de la estadística y el análisis estadístico implicativo, con una muestra de 6408 que se eligió por muestreo aleatorio simple de la base de datos de casos confirmados. Resultados: El contagio extradomiciliario fue significativamente mayor que el intradomiciliario sin diferencias por sexo, pero sí según grupos de edades y municipios dentro y entre ambos grupos. Fue significativo el predominio de los adultos mayores en el contagio intradomiciliario y de los adultos jóvenes en el extradomiciliario. Primaron los sintomáticos en el intradomiciliario; y, los asintomáticos, en el extradomiciliario, sin diferencias significativas entre ambas formas. Los menores de 20 años de edad, adultos mayores, asintomáticos y el municipio Mella fueron las características que se asociaron con el contagio intradomiciliario, mientras, con el extradomiciliario, los adultos jóvenes sintomáticos. Conclusiones: Las formas de contagio intra y extradomiciliaria se modularon según la conducta de las personas y el aislamiento propio de cada grupo de edades. La extradomiciliaria predominó en edades intermedias de la vida, como expresión de la conducta mediada por su responsabilidad económica en el hogar, mientras las edades extremas, que permanecieron en casa por cumplir medidas de aislamiento, fueron más propensas a la intradomiciliaria(AU)

Introduction: In the transmission of COVID-19 in Santiago de Cuba province, three epidemic outbreaks were observed between 2020 and 2021. Objective: To identify the differences between intra- and extra-domiciliary infections in three epidemic outbreaks of COVID-19 in Santiago de Cuba between March 2020 and May 2021. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of COVID-19 cases in the territory and period above mentioned was carried out, using the usual bivariate techniques of statistics and implicative statistical analysis, to a sample of 6408 cass that was chosen by simple random sampling from the database of confirmed cases. Results: Extra-domiciliary contagion was significantly higher than intra-domiciliary contagion without differences by sex, but according to age groups and municipalities within and between both groups. The predominance of older adults in intra-domiciliary contagion and of young adults in extra-domiciliary contagion was significant. Symptomatic patients prevailed in the intra-domiciliary; and, the asymptomatic, in the extra-domiciliary, without significant differences between both forms. Children under 20 years of age, older adults, asymptomatic and Mella municipality were the characteristics that were associated with intra-domiciliary contagion, while, with the extra-domiciliary were related symptomatic young adults. Conclusions: The forms of intra- and extra-domiciliary contagion were modulated according to the behavior of the people and the isolation of each age group. Extra-domiciliary predominated in intermediate ages of life, as an expression of the behavior mediated by their economic responsibility at home, while extreme ages, who remained at home to comply with isolation measures, were more prone to intra-domiciliary contagion(AU)

Discrete Models in Epidemiology: New Contagion Probability Functions Based on Real Data Behavior.

Mathematical modeling is a tool used for understanding diseases dynamics. The discrete-time model is an especial case in modeling that satisfactorily describes the epidemiological dynamics because of the discrete nature of the real data. However, discrete models reduce their descriptive and fitting potential because of assuming a homogeneous population. Thus, in this paper, we proposed contagion probability functions according to two infection paradigms that consider factors associated with transmission dynamics. For example, we introduced probabilities of establishing an infectious interaction, the number of contacts with infectious and the level of connectivity or social distance within populations. Through the probabilities design, we overcame the homogeneity assumption. Also, we evaluated the proposed probabilities through their introduction into discrete-time models for two diseases and different study zones with real data, COVID-19 for Germany and South Korea, and dengue for Colombia. Also, we described the oscillatory dynamics for the last one using the contagion probabilities alongside parameters with a biological sense. Finally, we highlight the implementation of the proposed probabilities would improve the simulation of the public policy effect of control strategies over an infectious disease outbreak.

Algunas consideraciones sobre la transmisión del SARS-CoV-2 / Some considerations on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2

RESUMEN Introducción: Con la persistencia de la actual pandemia de COVID-19, se supondría que, después de dos años de evolución, algunas de sus características epidemiológicas ya estarían completamente aclaradas. Sin embargo, aún prevalece la incertidumbre sobre peculiaridades de su transmisión que resultan decisivas para la aplicación práctica en el control y prevención de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Examinar y actualizar algunos conceptos, evidencias y opiniones sobre la transmisión de la COVID-19 en humanos. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de artículos de la literatura médica científica relacionados con la temática de la transmisión del SARS-CoV-2, y accesibles principalmente en las bases PubMed/MEDLINE, y publicados entre marzo de 2020 y octubre de 2021. En la búsqueda se incluyeron los términos relacionados con la transmisión de la COVID-19. La búsqueda manual de las bibliografías de los artículos permitió identificar estudios adicionales. Información, análisis y síntesis: Los resultados y experiencias de las investigaciones sobre la transmisión de la COVID-19 deben considerarse para implementar políticas y estrategias sanitarias más adecuadas y sostenibles a nivel local y global. Aún se requieren más estudios inter-, trans- y multidisciplinarios que permitan una mejor comprensión de la compleja interrelación del SARS-CoV-2, los factores ambientales y el huésped susceptible, considerando el extraordinario impacto global de esta enfermedad.

ABSTRACT Introduction: With the persistence of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it would be assumed that, after two years of evolution, some of its epidemiological characteristics would be completely clarified. However, uncertainties still remain about peculiarities of its transmission that are decisive for the prevention and control of this disease. Objective: To examine and update some concepts, evidence and opinions on the transmission of COVID-19 to humans. Methods: It was conducted a review of the medical scientific literature on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, available in PubMed/MEDLINE database, and published between March 2020 and October 2021. Terms related to the transmission of COVID-19 were included in the search. The manual screening of the bibliography of the selected articles allowed identifying additional studies. Information, analysis and synthesis: The results and experiences of the research on the transmission of COVID-19 should be considered when implementing more accurate and sustainable sanitary policies and strategies at local and global level. Additional inter-, trans-, and multidisciplinary studies are still needed to better understand the complex interrelation among SARS-CoV-2, the environmental factors, and the susceptible hosts, considering the extraordinary impact of this disease worldwide.

Mice Cohabiting With Familiar Conspecific in Chronic Stress Condition Exhibit Methamphetamine-Induced Locomotor Sensitization and Augmented Consolation Behavior.

Recognizing and sharing emotions are essential for species survival, but in some cases, living with a conspecific in distress condition may induce negative emotional states through empathy-like processes. Studies have reported that stressors promote psychiatric disorders in both, those who suffer directly and who witness these aversive episodes, principally whether social proximity is involved. However, the mechanisms underlying the harmful outcomes of emotional contagion need more studies, mainly in the drug addiction-related behaviors. Here, we investigated the relevance of familiarity and the effects of cohabitation with a partner submitted to chronic stress in the anxiety-like, locomotor sensitization, and consolation behaviors. Male Swiss mice were housed in pairs during different periods to test the establishment of familiarity and the stress-induced anxiety behavior in the elevated plus maze. Another cohort was housed with a conspecific subjected to repeated restraint stress (1 h/day) for 14 days. During chronic restraint the allogrooming was measured and after the stress period mice were tested in the open field for evaluation of anxiety and locomotor cross-sensitization induced by methamphetamine. We found that familiarity was established after 14 days of cohabitation and the anxiogenic behavior appeared after 14 days of stress. Repeated restraint stress also increased anxiety in the open field test and induced locomotor cross-sensitization in the stressed mice and their cagemates. Cagemates also exhibited an increase in the consolation behavior after stress sessions when compared to control mice. These results indicate that changes in drug abuse-related, consolation, and affective behaviors may be precipitated through emotional contagion in familiar conspecifics.

Lambs are more stressed at early weaning when housed with their twin.

The objective of this study was to compare the behavioural and immunological responses of twin lambs housed together with their siblings or not after weaning. The study was performed with seven multiparous Milchschaf ewes and their twin lambs (n = 14), which were weaned abruptly at 63 days of age and assigned to two experimental groups: (1) lambs that were housed together with their sibling after weaning (group GT, n = 6) and (2) lambs that were separated from their siblings and remained with other lambs from the same flock (group GS, n = 8). Before and after weaning, the distance between twins, the number of times in which the sibling was the closest lamb, the lambs' behaviours, and the average daily gain were recorded. The lambs' immune response was assessed with the phytohemagglutinin skin test after weaning. The closest lamb before weaning was the sibling in all cases (P < 0.0001 for all). The frequency in which GT lambs were observed closest from its twin increased on the day of weaning (P = 0.002). During the day of weaning, GT lambs vocalised and paced more than GS lambs (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively). Twenty-four h after the phytohemagglutinin injection, the skinfold thickness was greater in GS than GT lambs (P = 0.03). In conclusion, twin lambs housed together with their siblings were more stressed at weaning, displaying more intensive behavioural changes and a poorer immunological status than twin lambs housed separated from their siblings.

Analysis of connectivity between the world's banking markets: The COVID-19 global pandemic shock.

We contribute to the literature on financial networks by presenting empirical evidence that the global shock of the COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in the forms and intensity of banking sector connections between different countries. These changes include providing the highest level of connectivity observed in the timeline initiated in 2005. We used a comprehensive set of information containing data from 35 countries (developed and emerging economies) and showed the change in the classification of transmitting and receiving spillover during the COVID-19 crisis. Our results provide relevant insights into systemic integration between countries' banking markets, especially during difficult times. Our results are significant to Central Banks, banking sector investors, and governments seeking assistance from banks in the solutions for the resumption of the economy in the face of the COVID-19 shock.

Influencia de la COVID-19 en el clima laboral de trabajadores de la salud en Ecuador

RESUMEN Introducción: La calidad de la atención médica se relaciona directamente con el clima laboral adecuado y la satisfacción del personal de la salud. Con la aparición de la COVID-19 el clima laboral en las instituciones de salud se vio violentado. Objetivo: Identificar los factores que influyen en el clima laboral de las instituciones de salud pública y privadas de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador, durante el periodo junio-agosto de 2021. Método: Estudio con enfoque cuantitativo de alcance correlacional y diseño transeccional, en 349 trabajadores de la salud, a los que se les aplicó un cuestionario de 25 preguntas que midieron factores, como: riesgo al contagio, jornada laboral, recursos médicos y estabilidad laboral. Los resultados del estudio fueron analizados estadísticamente a través de SPPS 20 y AMOS 24, con el desarrollo anterior de alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: El 94 % de los participantes consideró como inadecuado el clima laboral de sus instituciones, mientras que el 6 % manifestó que no. Predominaron las féminas y los de 22-35 años. Todas las variables del modelo hipotetizado superaron el 0,70 y el alfa de Cronbach total alcanzó un 0,728; el modelo hipotetizado cumplió con la validez convergente y discriminante de las variables. El riesgo de contagio arrojó un valor de β=0,148, mientras que la jornada laboral resultó con β=0,010, recursos médicos β=0,006 y estabilidad laboral β=0,007. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos determinaron que el riesgo al contagio es el factor más influyente en el clima laboral de las instituciones objeto de estudio durante los inicios de la pandemia por la COVID-19.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The quality of medical care is directly related to the appropriate work environment and the satisfaction of the health staff. With the appearance of COVID-19, the work environment in health institutions has worsened. Objective: To identify the factors that influence the work environment of the public and private health institutions of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador, during the period June-August 2021. Method: Implementation of a study with a quantitative approach of correlational scope and transectional design in 349 health workers, to whom a 25-questions questionnaire was applied, that measured factors such as: contagion risk, working hours, medical resources and job stability. The results of the study were statistically analyzed through SPPS 20 and AMOS 24, with the previous development of Cronbach's alpha. Results: 94% of the participants considered the work environment of their institutions as inappropriate, while 6% said they did not. Females, and ages ranging between 22-35 years predominated. All the variables of the hypothesized model exceeded 0.70 and the total Cronbach's alpha reached 0.728; the hypothesized model met the convergent and discriminant validity of the variables. The risk of contagion yielded a value of β=0.148, while the working day resulted with β=0.010, medical resources β=0.006 and job stability β=0.007. Conclusions: The findings determined that the risk of contagion is the most influential factor in the work environment of the institutions under study during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMO Introdução: A qualidade da assistência médica está diretamente relacionada ao ambiente de trabalho adequado e à satisfação do pessoal de saúde. Com o surgimento da COVID-19, o ambiente de trabalho nas instituições de saúde foi violado. Objetivo: Identificar os fatores que influenciam o ambiente de trabalho das instituições públicas e privadas de saúde de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Equador, no período de junho a agosto de 2021. Método: Estudo com abordagem quantitativa de escopo correlacional e delineamento transversal, em 349 trabalhadores de saúde, aos quais foi aplicado um questionário de 25 questões que mediam fatores como: risco de contágio, jornada de trabalho, recursos médicos e estabilidade no emprego. Os resultados do estudo foram analisados estatisticamente por meio do SPPS 20 e AMOS 24, com o desenvolvimento prévio do alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: 94% dos participantes consideraram o ambiente de trabalho de suas instituições inadequado, enquanto 6% disseram que não. Predominaram mulheres e pessoas de 22 a 35 anos. Todas as variáveis do modelo hipotético ultrapassaram 0,70 e o alfa de Cronbach total atingiu 0,728; o modelo hipotético atendeu à validade convergente e discriminante das variáveis. O risco de contágio resultou em β=0,148, enquanto a jornada de trabalho resultou em β=0,010, recursos médicos β=0,006 e estabilidade no trabalho β=0,007. Conclusões: Os achados determinaram que o risco de contágio é o fator mais influente no ambiente de trabalho das instituições em estudo durante o início da pandemia do COVID-19.