scholarly journals Effect of partial lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic on PM10 concentration in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Gomes Passos ◽  
Stela Dalva Santos Cota ◽  
Maria Ângela De Barros Correia Menezes ◽  
Helena Eugênia Leonhardt Palmieri ◽  
Lúcia Maria Laboissière de Alencar Auler
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
P Value ◽  
Monitoring Point ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Force Majeure ◽  
The Social ◽  
Isolation Index ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
Vehicle Movement

Despite their proven effectiveness in combating the pandemic of COVID-19, measures of social isolation, quarantines, and lockdowns have drastic consequences in the social and economic spheres. This paper presents results from an ongoing study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to evaluate the effect of social isolation on MP10 concentration. The monitoring point was chosen in a wooded area within a university campus. Social isolation was analyzed in terms of vehicle movements recorded by speed cameras, during all phases following the partial lockdown (PL) instituted in the city. The social isolation index (SDI) showed a maximum isolation percentage of 49.5%, reached in the first week of the PL, with a subsequent continuous downward trend. The results showed a 65.2% reduction in PM10 due to the PL, when comparing the mean values monitored before (22.2 ± 3.0 µg m-3) and during (7.7 ± 4.2 µg m-3) the PL. The relationship between vehicle movement and PM10 concentrations in the monitoring region was evidenced and found to be significant (r(XY) = 0.782, p-value = 0.000). Such reduction, observed in such a short term, but due to force majeure, certainly has beneficial effects on the population's health, reinforcing the reflection about the positive impacts that could come with policies that favor the reduction of vehicle movement in the cities.

scholarly journals The impact of legislation on Covid-19 mortality in a Brazilian federative unit was mediated by social isolation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredi A Diaz-Quijano ◽  
Tatiane Bomfim Ribeiro ◽  
Alexia Viana da Rosa ◽  
Rossana Reis ◽  
Fernando Aith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
The Other ◽  
Preventive Effect ◽  
Mobile Data ◽  
The Social ◽  
Isolation Index ◽  
Delayed Mortality ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to estimate the effect of restrictive laws on actual social isolation and COVID-19 mortality. Moreover, we evaluated how community adherence, measured with an index of social isolation, would mediate the lockdown effect on COVID-19 mortality. Methods: This ecological study assessed the legislations published until June 30, 2020, in the Brazilian state of Ceara. We performed a systematic review and classification of restrictive norms and estimated their immediate effect on social isolation, measured by an index based on mobile data, and the subsequent impact on COVID-19 mortality (three weeks later). A mediation analysis was performed to estimate the effect of rigid lockdown on mortality that was explained for effective social isolation. Results: The social isolation index showed an increase of 11.9% (95% CI: 2.9% - 21%) during the days in which a rigid isolation norm (lockdown) was implemented. Moreover, this rigid lockdown was associated with a reduction of 26% (95% CI: 21% - 31%) in the three-week-delayed mortality. We also calculated that the rigid lockdown had the indirect effect, i.e., mediated by adherence to social isolation, of reducing COVID-19 mortality by 38.24% (95% CI: 21.64% to 56.07%). Therefore, the preventive effect of this norm was fully explained by the actual population adherence, reflected in the social isolation index. On the other hand, mandatory mask use was associated with 11% reduction in COVID-19 mortality (95% CI: 8% - 13%). Conclusions: We estimated the effect of quarantine regulations on social isolation and evidenced that a rigid lockdown law led to a reduction of COVID-19 mortality in one state of Brazil. In addition, the mandatory masks norm was an additional determinant of the reduction of this outcome.

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

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
André de Souza Melo ◽  
Ana Iza Gomes da Penha Sobral ◽  
Marcelo Luiz Monteiro Marinho ◽  
Gisleia Benini Duarte ◽  
Amanda Aires Vieira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Impulse Response Function ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
The State ◽  
Var Model ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
The Social ◽  
Isolation Index ◽  
The Impact

Abstract 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.

scholarly journals Rio de Janeiro noise mapping during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Noise Mapping ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-171
Author(s):  
Nayara Gevú ◽  
Bianca Carvalho ◽  
Guilherme C. Fagerlande ◽  
Maria Lygia Niemeyer ◽  
Marina Medeiros Cortês ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
City Center ◽  
Noise Mapping ◽  
The Social ◽  
Isolation Index ◽  
Data Survey ◽  
The City

Abstract This paper presents a comparison between the acoustic scenario at the Rio de Janeiro city center, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Undergoing one of the most important pandemics of the recent history, the social isolation led to a new acoustic scenario for Rio de Janeiro. The study was realized at the city center, an area of historical, economic and cultural relevance. The comparison consisted of analyzing measured data and noise maps produced for the city center area. The maps were created according to measured and collected data of the respective time periods. The acoustic scenario prior to the pandemic time was reconstructed based on previous measurements and data collection, while the pandemic one was built with data survey during the highest social isolation index on July 2020. The comparative analysis showed a considerable noise reduction, between 10 and 15 dB, for areas where the traffic noise was not intense and where the human activities were predominant on the streets. However, there was no substantial noise decrease for the areas around the major avenues. This occurred due to the traffic intensity drop to 50% during the pandemic, which meant a noise reduction between 3 and 5 dB.

A serious game to support learning and minimize the social isolation of children with autism

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Dantas Silva ◽  
F. M. Mendes Neto ◽  
R. M. de Lima ◽  
A. F. Sousa Neto ◽  
R. V. Santos Júnior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
The Social

Wittgenstein’s philosophy and action research

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Shotter
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Scientific Method ◽  
Gain Control ◽  
Participatory Culture ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
The Social ◽  
Professional Research ◽  
The Many

Three themes seem to be common to both Greenwood’s and Gustavsen’s accounts: One is the social isolation of professional [research] elites from the concerns of ordinary people, which connects with another: the privileging of theory over practice. Both of these are connected, however, with a third: the great, unresolved struggle of ordinary people to gain control over their own lives, to escape from schemes imposed on them by powerful elites, and to build a genuinely participatory culture. An understanding of Wittgenstein’s later philosophy, and the recognition of its striking differences from any previous philosophical works, can make some important contributions to all these issues. Wittgenstein’s aim is not, by the use of reason and argument, to establish any foundational principles to do with the nature of knowledge, perception, the structure of our world, scientific method, etc. Instead, he is concerned to inquire into the actual ways available to us of possibly making sense in the many different practical activities we share in our everyday lives together: “We are not seeking to discover anything entirely new, only what is already in plain view.”

TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEBULISATION WITH ADRENALINE, 3% HYPERTONIC SALINE AND NORMAL SALINE IN BRONCHIOLITIS IN CHILDREN OF 2 TO 24 MONTHS OF AGE BASED ON CLINICAL SEVERITY SCORE AND NEBULISATION FREQUENCY.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Jain ◽  
Rakesh Jain
Keyword(s):  
Hypertonic Saline ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
P Value ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background & Method: We conducted a double blinded study at Index Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Indore. The sample size was determined to be minimum of 120 cases as based upon previous years admission due to acute bronchiolitis. Initially, 146 cases were included in the study out of which 23 cases dropped out of the study after giving consent by guardian for participation in the study as they left against medical advice from the hospital. Result: The mean difference of CSS between 0 minutes to 60 minutes of nebulisation between groups in all cases was 0.4 ± 0.6, between 60 minutes and 4 hours was 0.8 ± 0.6, between 4 to 8 hours was 0.7 ± 0.6, between 8-12 hours was 0.6 ± 0.4, between 12-24 hours was 1.6 ± 0.9 and between 24-48 hours was 1.9 ± 0.9.The mean values and resultant p-value of ANOVA of various nebulising agents used for improvement in CSS shows significant association between various nebulising agents used along with improvement in CSS at the end of assessment at 48 hours of treatment. Conclusion: This study was conducted to establish the efficacy of each nebulisation agent (i.e.  adrenaline, 3% hypertonic saline and normal saline) currently used and compare the outcomes as there is not enough evidence amongst Indian population on level of efficacy of each drug in causing improvement in symptoms and signs in various severities of bronchiolitis in early childhood. Comparison of significant improvement in mean difference in CSS at various intervals in all cases compared between groups by post hoc test revealed non-significant difference (p-value 0.700) between 3% hypertonic saline and normal saline. Keywords: nebulisation, adrenaline, bronchiolitis & clinical.

Abstract W MP50: Pair Housing Reverses the Detrimental Effect of Social Isolation and Restores BDNF and MBP in Aged Mice after Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajkumar Verma ◽  
Nia Harris ◽  
Brett Friedler ◽  
Joshua Crapser ◽  
Anita Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Enhanced Recovery ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Aged Mice ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Novel Object Recognition Task

Background: Age is an important non-modifiable risk factor for stroke. Stroke rates double every decade after age 55. Social isolation (SI) exacerbates behavioural deficits, slows functional recovery and worsens histological injury after stroke in young animals, primarily by increasing the inflammatory response. However, the inflammatory response differs in aging, and whether the detrimental effects of SI are seen in aged animals is unknown. We hypothesize that acute and chronic post stroke SI will worsen stroke pathology and recovery in aged mice and pair housing (PH) will reverse these effects. Methods: Eighteen-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were pair housed (PH) for two weeks prior to stroke and randomly assigned to various housing conditions immediately after stroke. Behavioral analysis was done weekly starting at day 7. Mice were sacrificed either at 72 hours or 4 weeks after 60-minute right MCAO or sham surgery (n=9-10/group). Results: Mice isolated after stroke (ST-ISO) mice had significantly greater hemispheric infarct volume and neurological deficit scores (p<.05. n=13/group) than pair-housed (PH) stroke mice at 72 hours. SI mice that were isolated immediately after stroke showed significantly higher plasma IL-6 levels compared to PH sham (P<.001, n=13/group ) or PH stroke mice (P<.05) after 72 hour, but levels were similar by 4 weeks post-stroke (n=9-14/group). No change in tissue atrophy was seen after 4 weeks, however a significant interaction [F (1, 28) = 259.6, P<0.001] between housing and stroke was found in the Novel Object Recognition Task (NORT) at day 14. PH led to increased expression of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and myelin basic protein (MBP) by IHC and western blot (n=5/group for IHC and n= 4/ western blot). Conclusions: Social isolation immediately after stroke led to enhanced injury acutely. Despite similar infarcts at 4 weeks, SI mice had delayed behavioral recovery. Pair housing led to increased expression of BDNF and myelin protein expression. Therefore, the beneficial effects of pair housing may be related to BDNF and MBP expression and enhanced recovery after injury in aged animals.

How Relationship Satisfaction Influences Post-Pandemic COVID-19 Anxiety: A Four-Wave Study in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyi Ou ◽  
yunhanqi ◽  
Ke Zhang ◽  
Yuexiao Du ◽  
Yihang He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
The Social

The social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic exerts lasing impacts on people’s mental health. However, whether and how people’s pre-existing positive social relationships can serve as stable reserves to alleviate people psychological distress following the disaster remains unknown. To address the question, the current study examined whether pre-pandemic relationship satisfaction would predict post-pandemic COVID-19 anxiety through middle-pandemic perceived social support and/or gratitude using four-wave data in China (N = 222, 54.50% female, Mage = 31.53, SD = 8.17). Results showed that people’s COVID-19 anxiety decreased from the peak to the trough pandemic stage; perceived social support increased markedly from the pre-pandemic to the peak and remained stable afterwards, while relationship satisfaction remained unchanged throughout. Further, it was middle-pandemic perceived social support, but not gratitude, mediated the association between pre-pandemic relationship satisfaction and post-pandemic COVID-19 anxiety, indicating perceived social support played a more crucial role than gratitude in this process. Last, it is suggested to distinguish perceived social support from gratitude as two different components of social interactions.

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