OBJECTIVEThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide since December 2019. Neurologic symptoms have been reported as part of the clinical spectrum of the disease. We aimed to ...determine whether neurologic manifestations are common in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and to describe their main characteristics.
METHODSWe systematically reviewed all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital in a Spanish population during March 2020. Demographic characteristics, systemic and neurologic clinical manifestations, and complementary tests were analyzed.
RESULTSOf 841 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (mean age 66.4 years, 56.2% men), 57.4% developed some form of neurologic symptom. Nonspecific symptoms such as myalgias (17.2%), headache (14.1%), and dizziness (6.1%) were present mostly in the early stages of infection. Anosmia (4.9%) and dysgeusia (6.2%) tended to occur early (60% as the first clinical manifestation) and were more frequent in less severe cases. Disorders of consciousness occurred commonly (19.6%), mostly in older patients and in severe and advanced COVID-19 stages. Myopathy (3.1%), dysautonomia (2.5%), cerebrovascular diseases (1.7%), seizures (0.7%), movement disorders (0.7%), encephalitis (n = 1), Guillain-Barré syndrome (n = 1), and optic neuritis (n = 1) were also reported, but less frequent. Neurologic complications were the main cause of death in 4.1% of all deceased study participants.
CONCLUSIONSNeurologic manifestations are common in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. In our series, more than half of patients presented some form of neurologic symptom. Clinicians need to maintain close neurologic surveillance for prompt recognition of these complications. The mechanisms and consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 neurologic involvement require further studies.
Current developments in information technology and communications, as well as the significant transformations the business world is being forced to make, are generating an opportunity for widespread ...acceptance of mobile payments. The present research analyzes the intention to use the Apple Pay mobile payment system, as well as contextualizing and evaluating the different antecedents of its use. To carry out the research, 539 users were invited to respond to an online questionnaire, and an analysis of structural equation modeling was used. The results indicate that perceived value is the variable that most influences the intention to use the proposed payment system, followed by perception of utility and risk. This work has important implications for companies in the sector.
In order to combat environmental problems, electromobility is developing worldwide. The purpose of this study is to assess consumer attitudes for electromobility. Likewise, perceived consumer ...effectiveness (PCE) is proposed as a moderator. The analysis was carried out approaching a partial least squares technique within a model of structural equations with a sample of 404 users. Results show that the main motivators driving the purchase of an electric or hybrid vehicle are trust and extrinsic incentives, with green self-identity (GSI) influencing significantly but with less intensity. In addition, the level of knowledge is rather low and has a negative impact. In the proposed behavior model, PCE has a significant impact on intention. The impact of GSI on attitude is especially significant among consumers with a high level of PCE. Likewise, the effect of attitude on intention to adopt is also more pronounced among consumers with a high level of PCE. These findings might help revamp marketing strategies aiming to improve consumer attitudes and product adoption while boosting product sales.
Improper regulation of apoptosis has been postulated as one of the main factors that contributes to the etiology and/or progression of several prevalent diseases, including ischemic stroke and ...neurodegenerative pathologies. Consequently, in the last few years, there has been an ever-growing interest in the in vivo study of apoptosis. The clinical application of the tissue sampling and imaging approaches to analyze apoptosis in neurological diseases is, however, limited. Since apoptotic bodies are membrane vesicles that are released from fragmented apoptotic cells, it follows that the presence of these vesicles in the bloodstream is likely due to the apoptotic death of cells in tissues. We therefore propose to use circulating apoptotic bodies as biomarkers for measuring apoptotic death in patients with ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.
Since there is no scientific literature establishing the most appropriate method for collecting and enumerating apoptotic bodies from human blood samples. Authors, here, describe a reproducible centrifugation-based method combined with flow cytometry analysis to isolate and quantify plasma apoptotic bodies of patients with ischemic stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and also in healthy controls. Electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and proteomic characterization in combination with flow cytometry studies revealed that our isolation method achieves notable recovery rates of highly-purified intact apoptotic bodies.
This easy, minimally time consuming and effective procedure for isolating and quantifying plasma apoptotic bodies could help physicians to implement the use of such vesicles as a non-invasive tool to monitor apoptosis in patients with cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases for prognostic purposes and for monitoring disease activity.
Sustainable mobility is an initiative to address the problems generated by transportation in cities. Electric cars in particular have the potential to improve transport sustainability in the urban ...context. This study proposes a behavioural model based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to analyse the views of the urban population on the adoption of the electric car. For this purpose, data were collected from 336 individuals and analysed through structural equation modelling. The results indicate that urban consumer intention to adopt an electric car, mediated by attitude and subjective norms, is reinforced by word-of-mouth communication, care of environmental consequences and personal innovativeness and, as a barrier, the switching cost to an electric car. The moderating effect reveals that the impact of switching cost is lower in smaller households. Practical recommendations are offered.
Domestic heating systems are an important energy consumption market from a country's economic and environmental perspective. The domestic adoption of biomass heating systems is increasing in Europe ...and is considered environmentally friendly in terms of climate change in general, as well as secure in terms of fuel supply and price fluctuation. The results of this study indicate that potential Spanish adopters have a favorable attitude toward this type of heating. A potential adopter can be characterized as a female owner with an income level of €1800 or more, and with a house in a rural area. The most important issue for them is, in general, the annual cost of their heating.
Pelletizing technology is gaining significance as an alternative for optimizing energy recovery from solid biomass. The large-scale implementation of wood pellets as a biofuel has the potential to ...replace fossil fuels for heat and power production.
This study explores the knowledge of different agents in the pellet supply sector regarding pellets made from wood, the major factors influencing the application of this energy source, and the potential demand for new formats and packaging. Such knowledge can help the sector develop strategies to better commercialize this biofuel.
A qualitative study among managers (producers and distributors) is carried out, together with a quantitative study of the biomass sector and the wood pellet market in particular.
The key findings are outlined. Firstly, that the pellet is mainly for the heating of family homes and other buildings, given its convenience, cleanliness, ease of use and stable characteristics. Secondly, that firms that work in the sector agree that the 15 kg pack is the most adequate, given its ease of use, transport and storage. Finally, results reveal how direct distribution to domestic users will predominate in this sector. Yet this calls for broader coverage through diverse points of sale.
The research makes an original contribution to the literature by generating in-depth knowledge about the logistics and future market potential of wood biomass. The final recommendations will contribute to formulate policies designed to stimulate more widespread take-up of heating systems based on this type of biomass.
•The study is pioneer on the commercialization of biomass from wood pellets.•The study adopts the perspective of producers and distributors.•The qualitative research allows a greater knowledge of this sector and its potential.•The paper contributes to the formulation of policies to stimulate expansion of heating systems based on biomass and wood pellets.•The outcomes provide a number of valuable conclusions for companies and institutions of the biomass sector.
Purpose
Understanding the antecedents of biomass heating adoption by domestic users is important for both public authorities and businesses because of the impact of this technology on energy ...consumption. The purpose of this study offers an overview of the predictors of biomass adoption based on the most relevant theories, gleaned from pro-environmental decision-making research.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model was tested using the partial least squares technique. The study was conducted with a sample of 528 owners of detached houses who did not use biomass technology.
Findings
The results showed that intention to adopt this type of heating system is determined by individual values, environmental concerns, attitudes, perceived control, personal and social norms, perceptions of the technology’s attributes, of the benefits of biomass and access to economic aid.
Practical implications
Companies in the biomass heating sector (manufacturers, installers, biomass producers and distributors) and public bodies should take a proactive approach toward the economic and environmental situations they currently face.
Social implications
Economic aid or subsidies should be made available to influence the adoption intention of potential owners; and the availability of the aid and the requirements that must be met to access, it should be publicized through advertisement campaigns.
Originality/value
This study includes comprehensive academic and managerial implications crucial for the introduction of domestic biomass heating systems.
El presente trabajo se centra en analizar las variables que influyen en la intención de uso de energías renovables a nivel residencial, así como en la identificación del perfil de los usuarios de ...acuerdo a diferentes variables socio-demográficas y comportamentales. Para ello se confeccionó un cuestionario online con una muestra de 163 individuos. A través de las pruebas de diferencia de medias se demuestra como las variables que mejor definen esta aceptación son la actitud, el conocimiento previo y el ahorro energético. Asimismo, con ayuda de un análisis clúster se define aún más el perfil del adoptador potencial.
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