Introduction
The association between viral infections and pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis (cwCF) is well established. However, the question of whether cwCF are at a higher ...risk of COVID‐19 or its adverse consequences remains controversial.
Methods
We conducted an observational, multicenter, cross‐sectional study of cwCF infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) between March 2020 and June 2022, (first to sixth COVID‐19 pandemic waves) in Spain. The study aimed to describe patients' basal characteristics, SARS‐CoV‐2 clinical manifestations and outcomes, and whether there were differences across the pandemic waves.
Results
During study time, 351 SARS‐CoV2 infections were reported among 341 cwCF. Median age was 8.5 years (range 0–17) and 51% were female. Cases were unevenly distributed across the pandemic, with most cases (82%) clustered between November 2021 and June 2022 (sixth wave, also known as Omicron Wave due to the higher prevalence of this strain in that period in Spain). Most cwCF were asymptomatic (24.8%) or presented with mild Covid‐19 symptoms (72.9%). Among symptomatic, most prevalent symptoms were fever (62%) and increased cough (53%). Infection occurring along the sixth wave was the only independent risk factor for being symptomatic. Just eight cwCF needed hospital admission. No multisystem inflammatory syndrome, persisting symptoms, long‐term sequelae, or deaths were reported.
Conclusions
Spanish current data indicate that cwCF do not experience higher risks of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection nor worse health outcomes or sequelae. Changes in patients' basal characteristics, clinical courses, and outcomes were detected across waves. While the pandemic continues, a worldwide monitoring of COVID‐19 in pediatric CF patients is needed.
In this paper we aim to advance the discussion on HRM's quest to create value around social responsibility and environmental sustainability. We explore the perceptions reported by Human Resource ...managers in three Ibero-American countries (Spain, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica). We focus on the hospitality sector, one of particular relevancy for these countries and with significant sustainability challenges. Relying on in-depth interviews in twenty-eight organizations and a mixed-methods approach, we examine HR managers' underlying notions around social and environmental issues, stakeholder collaboration, HRM practices, roles and internal organization. Analysis of the interviews suggests varying views on those dimensions, as well as identifies Active and Advanced firms, the latter showing more commitment to sustainability (as part of the organizational culture), usage of HRM practices and engagement with multiple stakeholders. From this empirical exploration and relying on current sustainability developments, we contribute to the literature by outlining an externally-oriented model (centred on corporate priorities, communities' flourishing and ecosystems' resilience) aiming to advance HRM's engagement with sustainability-driven agendas.
Outdoor lighting is an essential service for modern life. However, the high influence of this type of facility on energy consumption makes it necessary to take extra care in the design phase. ...Therefore, this manuscript describes an algorithm to help light designers to get, in an easy way, the best configuration parameters and to improve energy efficiency, while ensuring a minimum level of overall uniformity. To make this possible, we used a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. These algorithms are well established, and are simple and effective to solve optimization problems. To take into account the most influential parameters on lighting and energy efficiency, 500 simulations were performed using DIALux software (4.10.0.2, DIAL, Ludenscheid, Germany). Next, the relation between these parameters was studied using to data mining software. Subsequently, we conducted two experiments for setting parameters that enabled the best configuration algorithm in order to improve efficiency in the proposed process optimization.
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