Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on visuospatial attention in air traffic controllers.

Visuospatial attention is a cognitive skill essential to the performance of air traffic control activities. We evaluated the effect of an anodic session of transcranial low-intensity direct current stimulation (tDCS) right parietal associated with cognitive training of visuospatial attention of 21 air traffic controllers. Within-subject designs were used, with all volunteers undergoing two tDCS sessions; an experimental (2 mA anodic) and control (sham) performed concomitantly with the cognitive training (2-Back). Visuospatial performance was measured using the Attention Network Test for Interactions and Vigilance pre- and post-intervention. The results indicate that after an active parietal tDCS session, the ATCOs showed faster responses, but not more accurate, for visuospatial attention in its aspects of orientation and reorientation. This result was significant when comparing baseline and post-tests in the active tDCS group. Comparing the post-tests between the tDCS active and sham groups, it is possible to infer a trend of improvement in the results based on faster and more accurate responses, which suggests a possible refinement of the ATCO's attentional orientation. However, this population may eventually have reached a plateau in the performance of this skill. From the analysis of the results we arrive at the following hypotheses: (I) the increase in cortical excitability mediated by anodic tDCS frequently recorded may not be accompanied by improvements in behavioural measures; (II) the interaction between anodic tDCS with another event of increased excitability-execution of a cognitive task, may have hindered the occurrence of neuroplasticity; (III) the air traffic control activity may be associated with a high level of attention, which may have contributed to a ceiling effect for the development of this skill; (IV) online assessments may be more relevant to identify acute effects; (V) repeated sessions may be more efficient to find cumulative effects; (VI) the analysis of interactions between attentional networks can contribute to the study of visuospatial attention; (VII) tDCS protocols aimed at ATCO need to consider the specifics of this audience, such as circadian rhythm and sleep and fatigue conditions.

Determinants of access to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: a preliminary approach.

BACKGROUND: The determinants of access to immunizers are still poorly understood, leading to questions about which criteria were considered in this distribution. Given the above, the present study aimed to analyze the determinants of access to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by different countries. METHODS: The study covered 189 countries using data from different public databases, and collected until February 19, 2021. We used eight explanatory variables: gross domestic product (GDP), extreme poverty, human development index (HDI), life expectancy, median age, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, COVID-19 tests, and COVID-19 deaths. The endogenous variables were total vaccine doses, vaccine doses per thousand, and days of vaccination. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied to establish the causal relationship between the country's COVID-19 impact, socioeconomic variables, and vaccine access. To support SEM, we used confirmatory factor analysis, t-test, and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: We collected the sample on February 19, and to date, 80 countries (42.1%) had already received a batch of immunizers against COVID-19. The countries with first access to the vaccine (e.g., number of days elapsed since they took the first dose) were the United Kingdom (68), China (68), Russia (66), and Israel (62). The countries receiving the highest doses were the United States, China, India, and Israel. The countries with extreme poverty had lower access to vaccines and the richer countries gained priority access. Countries most affected by COVID (deaths and cases) also received immunizers earlier and in greater volumes. Unfortunately, similar to other vaccines, indicators, such as income, poverty, and human development, influence vaccines' access. Thus affecting the population of vulnerable and less protected countries. Therefore, global initiatives for the equitable distribution of COVID need to be discussed and encouraged. CONCLUSIONS: Determinants of vaccine distribution consider the impact of the disease in the country and are also affected by favorable socioeconomic indicators. The COVID-19 vaccines need to be accessible to all affected countries, regardless of their social hands.

A retrospective cohort study of 238,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Brazil.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed health care systems in many countries and bed availability has become a concern. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) times in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The study covered 55,563 ICU admissions and 238,075 hospitalizations in Brazilian Health System units from February 22, 2020, to June 7, 2021. All the patients had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. The symptoms analyzed included: fever, dyspnea, low oxygen saturation (SpO2 < 95%), cough, respiratory distress, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of taste, loss of smell, and abdominal pain. We performed Cox regression in two models (ICU and hospitalization times). Hazard ratios (HRs) and survival curves were calculated by age group. The average stay was 14.4 days for hospitalized patients and 12.4 days for ICU patients. For hospitalized cases, the highest hazard mean values, with a positive correlation, were for symptoms of dyspnea (HR = 1.249; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.225-1.273) and low oxygen saturation (HR = 1.157; 95% CI 1.137-1.178). In the ICU, the highest hazard mean values were for respiratory discomfort (HR = 1.194; 95% CI 1.161-1.227) and abdominal pain (HR = 1.100; 95% CI 1.047-1.156). Survival decreased by an average of 2.27% per day for hospitalization and 3.27% per day for ICU stay. Survival by age group curves indicated that younger patients were more resistant to prolonged hospital stay than older patients. Hospitalization was also lower in younger patients. The mortality rate was higher in males than females. Symptoms related to the respiratory tract were associated with longer hospital stay. This is the first study carried out with a sample of 238,000 COVID-19 positive participants, covering the main symptoms and evaluating the hospitalization and ICU times.

SARS-COV-2 Vaccines: What Indicators are Associated with the Worldwide Distribution of the First Doses.

The present study aimed to identify the factors associated with the distribution of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In this study, we used 9 variables: human development index (HDI), gross domestic product (GDP per capita), Gini index, population density, extreme poverty, life expectancy, COVID cases, COVID deaths, and reproduction rate. The time period was until February 1, 2021. The variable of interest was the sum of the days after the vaccine arrived in the countries. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated, and t-test was performed between the groups that received and did not receive the immunizer, and finally, a stepwise linear regression model was used. 58 (30.4%) of the 191 countries received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The countries that received the most doses were the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and Israel. Vaccine access in days showed a positive Pearson correlation HDI, GDP, life expectancy, COVID-19 cases, deaths, and reproduction rate. Human development level, COVID-19 deaths, GDP per capita, and population density are able to explain almost 50% of the speed of access to immunizers. Countries with higher HDI and per capita income obtained priority access.

The impact of social distancing on COVID-19 infections and deaths.

BACKGROUND: To assess the impact of the social isolation index on the number of infections and deaths by COVID-19 in the state of São Paulo (Brazil). METHODS: Daily isolation data, obtained through geolocation information by mobile phone, were evaluated together with the number of daily infections and deaths by COVID-19 in the state of São Paulo. The study was conducted from February 26 to May 19, 2020. The data were modeled through the vector autoregression (VAR) model. RESULTS: The isolation index has an effect of approximately 5% in variation in the number of infections, and 7% in the number of deaths. The impulse response function (IRF) caused a drop of 0.15% in the number of new cases/day, and 0.17% in the number of deaths/day following a shock in the isolation index. For both cases, this effect occurred 1 day after the shock and stabilized after 10 periods. An increase of 1% in the isolation index led to a reduction of 6.91% in new cases and 6.90% in the number of deaths. The 30 cumulative day reduction reached 22.72% in terms of transmission and 35.39% for deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The social isolation index is related to deaths and infections from SARS-CoV-2. Although distancing measures are accompanied with impacts on the economy and the emergence of other morbidities, the benefits caused by the reduction in the speed of contagion are significant. The adoption of distancing measures has a substantial impact on the number of infected individuals and deaths by COVID-19.

Association between climate variables and global transmission oF SARS-CoV-2.

In this study, we aimed at analyzing the associations between transmission of and deaths caused by SARS-CoV-2 and meteorological variables, such as average temperature, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and precipitation. Two outcome measures were considered, with the first aiming to study SARS-CoV-2 infections and the second aiming to study COVID-19 mortality. Daily data as well as data on SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 mortality obtained between December 1, 2019 and March 28, 2020 were collected from weather stations around the world. The country's population density and time of exposure to the disease were used as control variables. Finally, a month dummy variable was added. Daily data by country were analyzed using the panel data model. An increase in the average daily temperature by one degree Fahrenheit reduced the number of cases by approximately 6.4 cases/day. There was a negative correlation between the average temperature per country and the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This association remained strong even with the incorporation of additional variables and controls (maximum temperature, average temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation) and fixed country effects. There was a positive correlation between precipitation and SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Countries with higher rainfall measurements showed an increase in disease transmission. For each average inch/day, there was an increase of 56.01 cases/day. COVID-19 mortality showed no significant association with temperature.

[Cases of dengue and urban waste collection: a study in the City of Recife]. / Casos de dengue e coleta de lixo urbano: um estudo na Cidade do Recife, Brasil.

The scope of this study was to identify which categories of urban waste are associated with cases of dengue and to evaluate the impact of garbage collection on dengue infection in the City of Recife (Brazil). Data from categorized waste weighing and the confirmed cases of dengue in the city were used. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient for the 13 categories of urban garbage, followed by Multivariate Linear Regression, selecting the variables by the stepwise method. A negative correlation between dengue infections in seven categories was identified: household garbage (r = -0.835), differentiated residues (r = -0.835), special operations residues (r = -0.711), building rubble (r = -0.687), selective waste collection (r = -0.425) and tires (r = -0.423). The regression model was able to explain 75% of the variation, indicating that an increase of 1,000 tons in household garbage collection provides a decrease of 0.032 in cases of dengue, while the same increase in tire collection esults in a decrease of 0.465. The results show that garbage collection has a strong negative impact on dengue cases and can be adopted as a prevention strategy by municipal governments.

O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar quais categorias de lixo urbano apresentam associação com casos de dengue e, em seguida, avaliar o impacto da coleta de lixo sobre os casos da doença na cidade do Recife. Foram utilizados dados da pesagem categorizada de lixo, juntamente com os casos confirmados de dengue no município. Os dados foram analisados através do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson para as treze categorias de lixo, seguido pela Regressão Linear Multivariada, selecionando as variáveis pelo método de "stepwise". Identificou-se a existência de correlação negativa entre o total de casos de dengue em sete categorias: lixo domiciliar (r = -0,835), resíduos diferenciados (r = -0,835), resíduos de operações especiais (r = -0,711), entulhos (r = -0,687), coleta seletiva (r = -0,425) e pneus (r = -0,423). O modelo de regressão foi capaz de explicar 75% da variação, apontando que um incremento de 1.000 toneladas na coleta de lixo doméstico proporciona uma redução de 0,032 casos de dengue enquanto que o mesmo incremento na coleta de pneus é capaz de reduzir 0,465 casos da doença. Os resultados demonstram que a coleta de lixo possui um forte impacto negativo nos casos de dengue e podem ser adotados como estratégia de prevenção pelos governos municipais.

Mild cognitive impairment in the elderly Relationship between communication and functional capacity.

Mild Cognitive Impairment is characterized as an intermediate form between age-related change and dementia. For the elderly, autonomy and independence are related to the ability to remain active in conducting their social activities and, for this to occur, communication is fundamental in this process. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between communication and the abilities of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment to perform instrumental activities of daily living. METHODS: A cross-sectional, quantitative, analytical, correlational study was conducted at the Open University of the Third Age (UnATI), a program of the Federal University of Pernambuco. This study included 92 people, comprising 46 elderly with mild cognitive impairment and a caregiver or family member who met the inclusion criteria. The elderly were asked to complete a sociodemographic questionnaire and Lawton-Brody's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. The caregivers were asked to complete the Functional Assessment of Communication Skills. The following variables were studied: social communication skills and instrumental activities of daily living. Data were stored in an Excel® 2007 spreadsheet, and the Pearson correlation test was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were statistically significant correlations in four domains of social communication: referring to family members by name (p=0.0033); requesting information about people or events (p=0.0355); understanding conversations in a noisy environment (p=0.0448); and understanding what they watch on television or listen to on the radio (p=0.0127). CONCLUSION: Changes in the communication of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment interfere with their ability to perform instrumental activities autonomously and independently.

O comprometimento cognitivo leve se caracteriza como forma intermediária entre a alteração ocasionada pela idade e a demência. Para o idoso, autonomia e independência estão relacionadas à capacidade de se manter ativo na realização das suas atividades sociais e, para que isso aconteça, a comunicação se torna fundamental neste processo. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre comunicação e desempenho dos idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve na realização das atividades instrumentais da vida diária. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, quantitativo, analítico e correlacional, realizado na Universidade aberta à Terceira Idade da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Participaram do estudo 92 pessoas, sendo 46 idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve e seus respectivos cuidador ou familiar que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Aos idosos, foram aplicados o questionário sociodemográfico e a Escala de Lawton-Brody; e, a seus informantes, a escala de Avaliação Funcional das Habilidades Comunicativas. As seguintes variáveis foram estudadas: habilidades de comunicação social e atividades instrumentais de vida diária. Os dados foram organizados em planilha Excel® 2007 e para análise estatística foi aplicado o Teste de Correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Evidenciou-se correlação estatisticamente significativa em quatro domínios da comunicação social, a saber: nomeia pessoas familiares pelo nome (p=0,0033); solicita informação sobre pessoas ou acontecimentos (p=0,0355); compreende conversas em ambiente barulhento (p=0,0448) e, compreende o que assiste na televisão ou ouve no rádio (p=0,0127). CONCLUSÃO: as alterações existentes na comunicação de idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve interferem na capacidade de realização de atividades instrumentais com autonomia e independência.

Casos de dengue e coleta de lixo urbano: um estudo na Cidade do Recife, Brasil / Cases of dengue and urban waste collection: a study in the City of Recife

Resumo O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar quais categorias de lixo urbano apresentam associação com casos de dengue e, em seguida, avaliar o impacto da coleta de lixo sobre os casos da doença na cidade do Recife. Foram utilizados dados da pesagem categorizada de lixo, juntamente com os casos confirmados de dengue no município. Os dados foram analisados através do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson para as treze categorias de lixo, seguido pela Regressão Linear Multivariada, selecionando as variáveis pelo método de "stepwise". Identificou-se a existência de correlação negativa entre o total de casos de dengue em sete categorias: lixo domiciliar (r = -0,835), resíduos diferenciados (r = -0,835), resíduos de operações especiais (r = -0,711), entulhos (r = -0,687), coleta seletiva (r = -0,425) e pneus (r = -0,423). O modelo de regressão foi capaz de explicar 75% da variação, apontando que um incremento de 1.000 toneladas na coleta de lixo doméstico proporciona uma redução de 0,032 casos de dengue enquanto que o mesmo incremento na coleta de pneus é capaz de reduzir 0,465 casos da doença. Os resultados demonstram que a coleta de lixo possui um forte impacto negativo nos casos de dengue e podem ser adotados como estratégia de prevenção pelos governos municipais.

Abstract The scope of this study was to identify which categories of urban waste are associated with cases of dengue and to evaluate the impact of garbage collection on dengue infection in the City of Recife (Brazil). Data from categorized waste weighing and the confirmed cases of dengue in the city were used. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient for the 13 categories of urban garbage, followed by Multivariate Linear Regression, selecting the variables by the stepwise method. A negative correlation between dengue infections in seven categories was identified: household garbage (r = -0.835), differentiated residues (r = -0.835), special operations residues (r = -0.711), building rubble (r = -0.687), selective waste collection (r = -0.425) and tires (r = -0.423). The regression model was able to explain 75% of the variation, indicating that an increase of 1,000 tons in household garbage collection provides a decrease of 0.032 in cases of dengue, while the same increase in tire collection esults in a decrease of 0.465. The results show that garbage collection has a strong negative impact on dengue cases and can be adopted as a prevention strategy by municipal governments.

Mild cognitive impairment in the elderly: relationship between communication and functional capacity / Comprometimento cognitivo leve em idosos: relação entre comunicação e capacidade funcional

Abstract Mild Cognitive Impairment is characterized as an intermediate form between age-related change and dementia. For the elderly, autonomy and independence are related to the ability to remain active in conducting their social activities and, for this to occur, communication is fundamental in this process. Objective: To assess the association between communication and the abilities of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment to perform instrumental activities of daily living. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, analytical, correlational study was conducted at the Open University of the Third Age (UnATI), a program of the Federal University of Pernambuco. This study included 92 people, comprising 46 elderly with mild cognitive impairment and a caregiver or family member who met the inclusion criteria. The elderly were asked to complete a sociodemographic questionnaire and Lawton-Brody's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. The caregivers were asked to complete the Functional Assessment of Communication Skills. The following variables were studied: social communication skills and instrumental activities of daily living. Data were stored in an Excel® 2007 spreadsheet, and the Pearson correlation test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: There were statistically significant correlations in four domains of social communication: referring to family members by name (p=0.0033); requesting information about people or events (p=0.0355); understanding conversations in a noisy environment (p=0.0448); and understanding what they watch on television or listen to on the radio (p=0.0127). Conclusion: Changes in the communication of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment interfere with their ability to perform instrumental activities autonomously and independently.

Resumo O comprometimento cognitivo leve se caracteriza como forma intermediária entre a alteração ocasionada pela idade e a demência. Para o idoso, autonomia e independência estão relacionadas à capacidade de se manter ativo na realização das suas atividades sociais e, para que isso aconteça, a comunicação se torna fundamental neste processo. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre comunicação e desempenho dos idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve na realização das atividades instrumentais da vida diária. Métodos: Estudo transversal, quantitativo, analítico e correlacional, realizado na Universidade aberta à Terceira Idade da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Participaram do estudo 92 pessoas, sendo 46 idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve e seus respectivos cuidador ou familiar que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Aos idosos, foram aplicados o questionário sociodemográfico e a Escala de Lawton-Brody; e, a seus informantes, a escala de Avaliação Funcional das Habilidades Comunicativas. As seguintes variáveis foram estudadas: habilidades de comunicação social e atividades instrumentais de vida diária. Os dados foram organizados em planilha Excel® 2007 e para análise estatística foi aplicado o Teste de Correlação de Pearson. Resultados: Evidenciou-se correlação estatisticamente significativa em quatro domínios da comunicação social, a saber: nomeia pessoas familiares pelo nome (p=0,0033); solicita informação sobre pessoas ou acontecimentos (p=0,0355); compreende conversas em ambiente barulhento (p=0,0448) e, compreende o que assiste na televisão ou ouve no rádio (p=0,0127). Conclusão: as alterações existentes na comunicação de idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve interferem na capacidade de realização de atividades instrumentais com autonomia e independência.