New findings on the dynamics of HIV and TB coinfection models

In this paper we study a model for HIV and TB coinfection. We consider the integer order and the fractional order versions of the model. Let α∈[0.78,1.0] be the order of the fractional derivative, then the integer order model is obtained for α=1.0. The model includes vertical transmission for HIV and treatment for both diseases. We compute the reproduction number of the integer order model and HIV and TB submodels, and the stability of the disease free equilibrium. We sketch the bifurcation diagrams of the integer order model, for variation of the average number of sexual partners per person and per unit time, and the tuberculosis transmission rate. We analyze numerical results of the fractional order model for different values of α, including α=1. The results show distinct types of transients, for variation of α. Moreover, we speculate, from observation of the numerical results, that the order of the fractional derivative may behave as a bifurcation parameter for the model. We conclude that the dynamics of the integer and the fractional order versions of the model are very rich and that together these versions may provide a better understanding of the dynamics of HIV and TB coinfection

A coinfection model for HIV and HCV

We study a mathematical model for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatites C virus (HCV) coinfection. The model predicts four distinct equilibria: the disease free, the HIV endemic, the HCV endemic, and the full endemic equilibria. The local and global stability of the disease free equilibrium was calculated for the full model and the HIV and HCV submodels. We present numerical simulations of the full model where the distinct equilibria can be observed. We show simulations of the qualitative changes of the dynamical behavior of the full model for variation of relevant parameters. From the results of the model, we infer possible measures that could be implemented in order to reduce the number of infected individuals

Impact of a simulation-based interprofessional workshop (LINKS) on Portuguese healthcare students’ perception of roles and competencies: a quasi-experimental pilot study

Introduction There is a scarcity of simulation-based interprofessional (IP) programs in Portugal, with a notorious absence in undergraduate education. This paper describes the first step towards the development of an interprofessional education (IPE) undergraduate program, namely the implementation and preliminary assessment of the workshop LINKS – Lifting INterprofessional Knowledge through Simulation. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the educational effect of LINKS, in medical and nursing undergraduate students’ attitudes towards IP teamwork and collaborative practices, and their perception of roles and competencies within an IP team. Methods A total of 23 final-year students participated in the workshop. Teams of three or four elements (medical and nursing students) were exposed to two critical patient management simulation scenarios. To assess the impact of the workshop on students’ perception of IP collaborative practice, two surveys (ATTITUDES and IPEC) were applied before and after the workshop. Additionally, students’ opinion/satisfaction towards the workshop and its curricular integration was explored. Results Students’ awareness of the relevancy of IP learning and self-competency in IP practice improved. For all subdomains and overall scores, statistically significant differences were found when comparing the pre- and post-scores, for both medical and nursing students, in both surveys. All students agreed that the workshop added educational value to their training, and recommended its integration in the formal curriculum, with a first round in the penultimate year and repeated in the last year. Discussion Considering the pre–post test results and anecdotal comments shared during the session, we may infer that this single IPE event contributed to a clearer understanding of the team dynamic and individual role definition, increased the motivation to engage in collaborative practice between physicians and nurses and potentially challenged pre-existent stereotypes of each professional group. These findings corroborate the need for sustainable simulation-based IP programs, integrated in the undergraduate curricula, promoting early clinical interactions of different professional groups. We envision that the results of this study can help to inform future curriculum planning and provide useful insights that can be used within and between Portuguese institutions to develop a common IP undergraduate program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

La edad adulta en los profesores de enseñanza superior: diferencia en la gestión de su equilibrio entre la vida laboral y personal y el compromiso organizativo

This study aimed to compare the extent to which a sample of Portuguese teachers in Higher Education Institutions, divided into two groups (young adults, ages 20-39 years; and advance adults, ages 40-70 years), differed in the management of their work-life balance and organizational commitment. Data collection was conducted using the Work-Family Scale, the Organizational Commitment Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Between 2012 and 2019, 652 participants were enrolled in the study. Through a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA, General Linear Model procedure), results suggest that young adult teachers display higher scores of family to work facilitation, while advance adult teachers evidence higher scores of normative commitment. Given the results found, recommendations for Higher Education Institutions were outlined.El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el grado en que una muestra de profesores portugueses de Instituciones de Enseñanza Superior, divididos en dos grupos (adultos jóvenes, de 20 a 39 años; y adultos avanzados, de 40 a 70 años), diferían en la gestión de su equilibrio entre vida laboral y familiar y compromiso organizativo. La recolección de datos serealizó mediante la Escala Trabajo-Familia, la Escala de Compromiso Organizacional y un cuestionario sociodemográfico. Entre 2012 y 2019, 652 participantes se inscribieron en el estudio. A través de un análisis multivariado de la varianza (MANOVA, procedimiento de Modelo Lineal General), los resultados sugieren que los profesores adultos jóvenes muestran mayores puntuaciones de facilitación de la familia al trabajo, mientras que los profesores adultos avanzados evidencian mayores puntuaciones de compromiso normativo. Dados los resultados encontrados, se esbozan recomendaciones para las Instituciones de Educación Superior.&nbsp

Social Work Practices for Children, Youth and Families in Portugal: Challenges and Approaches

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O impacto da liderança transformacional no compromisso organizacional: o papel moderador do teletrabalho

A presente investigação pretende estudar o papel moderador do teletrabalho entre a liderança transformacional e o compromisso organizacional. O estudo desta temática teve como objetivo principal aferir se o teletrabalho tem um papel moderador na relação entre a liderança transformacional e o compromisso organizacional e apurar em que medida a liderança transformacional tem impacto positivo no compromisso organizacional dos colaboradores. Para isso, participaram neste estudo 230 inquiridos, de ambos os sexos, com idades compreendidas entre os 22 e os 74 anos, dos sectores público e privado que possam já ter trabalhado ou não em regime de teletrabalho. Os dados foram obtidos através de dois questionários validados e outro sociodemográfico, que foram recolhidos eletronicamente. Estes foram precedidos de uma revisão da literatura que permitiu obter diversas perspetivas sobre as três variáveis investigadas. Os resultados revelaram que se aceitam as duas hipóteses de estudo. Revelam também que, de um ponto de vista teórico e prático, e com o aprofundamento dos mais recentes estudos nos campos da liderança transformacional, do compromisso organizacional e do teletrabalho, a variável independente liderança transformacional, em particular na sua dimensão confiabilidade, valida a sua correlação com a variável dependente compromisso organizacional, confirmado o impacto positivo que exerce sobre o mesmo. Apurou-se também que a variável moderadora do teletrabalho tem um efeito positivo, ou seja, o teletrabalho atua no sentido do reforço da relação existente entre liderança transformacional e compromisso organizacional

Effects of treatment, awareness and condom use in a coinfection model for HIV and HCV in MSM

We develop a new a coinfection model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We consider treatment for both diseases, screening, unawareness and awareness of HIV infection, and the use of condoms. We study the local stability of the disease-free equilibria for the full model and for the two submodels (HCV only and HIV only submodels). We sketch bifurcation diagrams for different parameters, such as the probabilities that a contact will result in a HIV or an HCV infection. We present numerical simulations of the full model where the HIV, HCV and double endemic equilibria can be observed. We also show numerically the qualitative changes of the dynamical behavior of the full model for variation of relevant parameters. We extrapolate the results from the model for actual measures that could be implemented in order to reduce the number of infected individuals

The contribution of the user experiences goals for designing better cobots: a systematic literature review

Collaborative robots are an indispensable element of both industry 4.0 and industry 5.0, the latter of which gives special emphasis to the human facet of the human-robot collaboration. To facilitate such an interaction, attention should be given to the design of the cobot, including its interface, which enables communication with the user. Programming through the interface and performing a task with the robotic device are responsible for the user experience (UX), which comprises both pragmatic and hedonic aspects. In order to design the most positive experience for users, their perspectives must be considered, which is achieved through the identification of UX goals. In this respect, a systematic review was conducted to revise the UX goals present in the literature. The following seven UX goals were identified: safety, relationship, usability, inspiration, flexibility, efficiency, and accomplishment. These findings represent the first systematic categorization of UX goals for the specific design of cobots, that should empirically be tested.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio