bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital and outpatient models for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A systematic review of comparative studies for health outcomes, experience of care and costs
Authors: González Marino J. , Urizar Elena , Urtaran-Laresgoiti Maider , Nuño-Solinís Roberto , Lázaro-Pérez Esther , Vázquez Lourdes , Pascual-Cascón Maria Jesús , Solano Carlos , Kwon Mi , Gallego Cristina , Fernández-Avilés Francesc
Published: August 2021

The number of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations has risen in the past 20 years. The practice of outpatient Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation programs is increasing in an attempt to improve the quality of patient care and reduce the demand for hospital admission. A systematic review of 29 comparative studies between in-hospital and outpatient treatment of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, with no restriction by outpatient regime was conducted. This study aims to analyse the current evidence on the effects of the outpatient model on patient-centred outcomes, comparing both in-hospital and outpatient models for autologous and allogeneic HSCT using the Triple Aim framework: health outcomes, costs and experience of care. We found evidence on improved health outcomes and quality of life, on enhanced safety and effectiveness and on reduced overall costs and hospital stays, with similar results on overall survival rates comparing both models for autologous and allogeneic patients. We also found that the outpatient Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation is a safe practice as well as less costly, it requires fewer days of hospital stay both for autologous and allogeneic transplantations. Under a situation of an increasing number of transplants, rising healthcare costs and shortages of hospital capacity, incorporating outpatient models could improve the quality of care for people requiring Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation programs.
Prevalence and factors associated with experience of corporal punishment in public schools in South Africa
Authors: Mahlangu Pinky , Chirwa Esnat , Machisa Mercilene , Sikweyiya Yandisa , Shai Nwabisa , Jewkes Rachel
Published: August 2021

Background

Corporal punishment (CP) is still a common practice in schools globally. Although illegal, studies in South Africa report its continued use, but only a few have explored factors associated with school CP. Moreover, extant studies have not shown the interrelationships between explanatory factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with learners’ experiences, and to examine pathways to the learners’ experiences of CP at school.

Method

3743 grade 8 learners (2118 girls and 1625 boys) from 24 selected public schools in Tshwane, South Africa, enrolled in a cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating a multi-component school-based intervention to prevent intimate partner violence, and completed self-administered questionnaires. We carried out descriptive analysis, simple linear and structural equation modelling to examine factors and pathways to the learners’ experience of CP at school.

Results

About 52% of learners had experienced CP at school in the last 6 months. It was higher among boys compared to girls. Experience of CP at school amongst learners was associated with learner behavior, home environment, and school environment. Learners from households with low-socio economic status (SES) had an increased risk of CP experience at school. Amongst boys, low family SES status was associated with a negative home environment and had a direct negative impact on a learner’s mental health, directly associated with misbehavior.

Conclusion

CP in public schools in South Africa continues despite legislation prohibiting its use. While addressing learner behaviour is critical, evidence-based interventions addressing home and school environment are needed to change the culture among teachers of using corporal punishment to discipline adolescents and inculcate one that promotes positive discipline.
Psychometric evaluation of the Arabic version of the Irish Assertiveness Scale among Saudi undergraduate nursing students and interns
Authors: Mansour Mansour , Hasan Abd Alhadi , Alafafsheh Ahmad
Published: August 2021

Background

Irish Assertiveness Scale is commonly used to examine the individual’ level of assertiveness. There is no adequately validated Arabic instrument that examines the level of assertiveness among Arabic-speaking undergraduate nursing students.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to translate, then evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Irish Assertiveness Scale among Saudi undergraduate nursing students and interns.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Settings

Three nursing colleges from three provinces in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Eastern and Makkah provinces.

Participants

283 questionnaires were completed by 3rd and 4th year undergraduate nursing students, and nursing interns.

Methods

A standard procedure including forward-backward translation, cultural adaptation and pilot testing was adopted to translate the Irish Assertiveness Scale into Arabic language. Content validity was measured using content validity index. Scale reliability was measured using cronbach’s alpha coefficient and mean inter-item correlation. The sample was randomly split, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was then conducted on each sample to examine the construct validity of the proposed scale. A subsequent convergent validity and discriminant validity were also tested.

Results

The item-level content validity index ranged from 0.9 to 1.0, and the overall content validity index was 0.93. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in 23-items, four-factor solution explaining 49.4% of the total variance. The mean inter-item correlation for each factor ranged between 0.22 and 0.4. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the overall scale was 0.80. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the proposed four-factor solution had the best model fit. Whilst discriminant validity was supported in the new model, convergent validity was partially met.

Conclusions

This study contributed toward establishing the Arabic version of the Irish Assertiveness Scale. Considering the limitations of the convergent validity demonstrated in the new instrument, a modified version of the Irish Assertiveness Scale might be needed to ascertain the most feasible model which best captures the level of assertiveness in Arabic cultural context.
Gender differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior: Results from over 200,000 Latin-American children and adolescents
Authors: Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Aubert Salomé , Barnes Joel D. , González Silvia A. , Tremblay Mark S.
Published: August 2021

More physical activity and less sedentary behavior is beneficial for children and adolescents. Worldwide, gender differences are >8% favorable for men and the Latin-American region presents an even higher level of insufficient physical activity among women, with a lack of information in young population. Thus, the aim of the current study was to describe the gender differences in physical activity and recreational sedentary behavior in children and adolescents from Latin-American countries. The targeted age range was 5 to 17 years and included 219,803 participants (106,698 boys and 113,105 girls) from 33 out of 47 Latin-American countries identified. Physical activity guidelines from the World Health Organization (≥60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity seven days of the week) and <3 hours recreational sedentary behavior daily were the references. In general, boys showed a higher prevalence of meeting physical activity guidelines in comparison with girls. A higher proportion of girls met the <3 hours recreational sedentary behavior cut-point in only ten countries. Thirty percent of the identified countries had no available data. The majority had data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey with data principally on adolescents and only 11/33 countries reported data in the last 5-year period. In conclusion, gender differences in the compliance with physical activity guidelines and the <3 hours recreational sedentary behavior cut-point are evident among children and adolescents from Latin-American countries, with boys being more active than girls.
The utilisation of public and private health care among Australian women with diabetes: Findings from the 45 and Up Study
Authors: Adams Jon , McIntyre Erica , Steel Amie , Leung Brenda , Leach Matthew , Sibbritt David
Published: August 2021

Aim

To describe the prevalence of health care utilisation and out-of-pocket expenditure associated with the management of diabetes among Australian women aged 45 years and older.

Design

Cross-sectional survey design.

Methods

The questionnaire was administered to 392 women (a cohort of the 45 and Up Study) reporting a diagnosis of diabetes between August and November 2016. It asked about the use of conventional medicine, complementary medicine (CM) and self-prescribed treatments for diabetes and associated out-of-pocket spending.

Results

Most women (88.3%; n = 346) consulted at least one health care practitioner in the previous 12 months for their diabetes; 84.6% (n = 332) consulted a doctor, 44.4% (n = 174) consulted an allied health practitioner, and 20.4% (n = 80) consulted a CM practitioner. On average, the combined annual out-of-pocket health care expenditure was AU$492.6 per woman, which extrapolated to approximately AU$252 million per annum. Of this total figure, approximately AU$70 million was spent on CM per annum.

Conclusions

Women with diabetes use a diverse range of health services and incur significant out-of-pocket expense to manage their health. The degree to which the health care services women received were coordinated, or addressed their needs and preferences, warrants further exploration. Limitations of this study include the use of self-report and inability to generalise findings to other populations.
GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease: Translational systematic review and meta-analysis protocol of clinical and preclinical studies
Authors: Vaccari Carolina , Grotto Denise , Pereira Tiago da V. , de Camargo João Lauro V. , Lopes Luciane C.
Published: August 2021

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive multifactorial neurodegenerative condition. Epidemiological studies have shown that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM2) are at increased risk for developing PD, indicating a possible insulin-modulating role in this latter condition. We hypothesized that drugs similar to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), used in the treatment of T2DM2, may play a role in PD.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to systematically review and meta-analyze data of preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 and GIP drugs in the treatment of PD.

Methods

Two reviewers will independently evaluate the studies available in the Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cinahl, and Lilacs databases. Preclinical rodent or non-human primate studies and randomized controlled human clinical trials will be included, without language or publication period restrictions. Outcomes of interest in preclinical studies will be primarily locomotor improvements and adverse effects in animal models of PD. For clinical trials, we will evaluate clinical improvements rated by the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale–parts I, II, III, and IV, and adverse effects. The risk of bias of preclinical studies will be assessed by the SYRCLE tool and CAMARADES checklist and the clinical studies by the Cochrane tool; the certainty of the evidence will be rated by GRADE.

Discussion and conclusion

There is an urge for new PD treatments that may slow the progression of the disease rather than just restoring dopamine levels. This study will comprehensively review and update the state of the art of what is known about incretin hormones and PD and highlight the strengths and limitations of translating preclinical data to the clinic whenever possible.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration number CRD42020223435.
First evidence of enterovirus A71 and echovirus 30 in Uruguay and genetic relationship with strains circulating in the South American region
Authors: Lizasoain Andrés , Mir Daiana , Salvo Matías , Bortagaray Viviana , Masachessi Gisela , Farías Adrián , Rodríguez-Osorio Nélida , Nates Silvia , Victoria Matías , Colina Rodney
Published: August 2021

Human enteroviruses (EVs) comprise more than 100 types of coxsackievirus, echovirus, poliovirus and numbered enteroviruses, which are mainly transmitted by the faecal-oral route leading to diverse diseases such as aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and acute flaccid paralysis, among others. Since enteroviruses are excreted in faeces, wastewater-based epidemiology approaches are useful to describe EV diversity in a community. In Uruguay, knowledge about enteroviruses is extremely limited. This study assessed the diversity of enteroviruses through Illumina next-generation sequencing of VP1-amplicons obtained by RT-PCR directly applied to viral concentrates of 84 wastewater samples collected in Uruguay during 2011–2012 and 2017–2018. Fifty out of the 84 samples were positive for enteroviruses. There were detected 27 different types belonging to Enterovirus A species (CVA2-A6, A10, A16, EV-A71, A90), Enterovirus B species (CVA9, B1-B5, E1, E6, E11, E14, E21, E30) and Enterovirus C species (CVA1, A13, A19, A22, A24, EV-C99). Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) and echovirus 30 (E30) strains were studied more in depth through phylogenetic analysis, together with some strains previously detected by us in Argentina. Results unveiled that EV-A71 sub-genogroup C2 circulates in both countries at least since 2011–2012, and that the C1-like emerging variant recently entered in Argentina. We also confirmed the circulation of echovirus 30 genotypes E and F in Argentina, and reported the detection of genotype E in Uruguay. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of the EV-A71 C1-like emerging variant in South-America, and the first report of EV-A71 and E30 in Uruguay.
From mathematics to medicine: A practical primer on topological data analysis (TDA) and the development of related analytic tools for the functional discovery of latent structure in fMRI data
Authors: Salch Andrew , Regalski Adam , Abdallah Hassan , Suryadevara Raviteja , Catanzaro Michael J. , Diwadkar Vaibhav A.
Published: August 2021

fMRI is the preeminent method for collecting signals from the human brainin vivo, for using these signals in the service of functional discovery, and relating these discoveries to anatomical structure. Numerous computational and mathematical techniques have been deployed to extract information from the fMRI signal. Yet, the application of Topological Data Analyses (TDA) remain limited to certain sub-areas such as connectomics (that is, with summarized versions of fMRI data). While connectomics is a natural and important area of application of TDA, applications of TDA in the service of extractingstructure from the(non-summarized)fMRI data itselfare heretofore nonexistent. “Structure” within fMRI data is determined by dynamic fluctuations in spatially distributed signals over time, and TDA is well positioned to help researchers better characterize mass dynamics of the signal by rigorously capturing shape within it. To accurately motivate this idea, we a) survey an established method in TDA (“persistent homology”) to reveal and describe how complex structures can be extracted from data sets generally, and b) describe how persistent homology can be applied specifically to fMRI data. We provide explanations for some of the mathematical underpinnings of TDA (with expository figures), building ideas in the following sequence: a) fMRI researchers can and should use TDA to extract structure from their data; b) this extraction serves an important role in the endeavor of functional discovery, and c) TDA approaches can complement other established approaches toward fMRI analyses (for which we provide examples). We also provide detailed applications of TDA to fMRI data collected using established paradigms, and offer our software pipeline for readers interested in emulating our methods. This working overview is both an inter-disciplinary synthesis of ideas (to draw researchers in TDA and fMRI toward each other) and a detailed description of methods that can motivate collaborative research.
A comparison of diagnostic performance between two quantitative rapid fecal calprotectin assays in detecting active inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Lee Jong-Mi , Jang Joo Hee , Ryu Ji Hyeong , Yoo Jaeeun , Lee Bo-In , Kim Seung-Jun , Oh Eun-Jee
Published: August 2021

Background

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring disease activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Quantitative rapid assays can be a reliable alternative to the time-consuming assay. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of two quantitative rapid FC assays (Ichroma calprotectin, and Buhlmann Quantum blue).

Methods

A total of 192 patients were included in this study; 84 patients with IBD (67 ulcerative colitis and 17 Crohn’s disease) and 108 patients with non-IBD. We compared quantitative FC levels in different disease statuses and evaluated the correlation between the FC results of the two FC kits. Diagnostic performances in predicting active IBD were evaluated in reference to different cut-off levels.

Results

The FC levels in 45 patients with active IBD as defined by endoscopic score were significantly higher compared to the inactive IBD and other diseases (P<0.05). Although the two assays’ results correlated (r = 0.642, P < 0.001), a significant deviation was observed (y (Buhlmannn) = -45.2 +8.9X (Ichroma)). The Diagnostic performances in predicting active IBD were comparable as area under the curve (AUC), 0.812, cut-off, 50, sensitivity, 64.4%, and specificity, 85.0% for iChroma assay and AUC, 0.826, cut-off, 100, sensitivity, 84.4%, and specificity 61.9% for Buhlmann Quantum Blue assay. FC levels using a cut-off of > 250 μg/g confirmed 85.7% (iChroma) and 64.1% (Buhlmann) of active IBD patients.

Conclusion

The results of the two rapid FC assays iChroma and Buhlmann showed a significant correlation, but the two test results were not interchangeable. With optimized cut-off values, rapid FC tests could be helpful in the diagnosis of IBD and differentiating active IBD from inactive or organic bowel disease.
Land use and semen quality: A fertility center cohort study
Authors: Choe Seung-Ah , Kim Seulgi , Im Changmin , Kim Sun-Young , Wellenius Gregory , Kim You Shin , Yoon Tae Ki , Kim Dae Keun
Published: August 2021

This study explored the association between built environment and semen parameters among men who sought fertility evaluation. We used a data of 5,886 men living in the Seoul capital area whose semen was tested at a single fertility center during 2016–2018. Distance to fresh water, the coast, major roadways, and neighborhood greenness measured by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were evaluated. Outcome indicators were semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of progressive motility, vitality, normal morphology, and total motile sperm count. Linear regression models were fitted to standardized values of six semen indicators. Majority of men were white-collar, clerical, and service workers. Linear associations between built environment features and semen quality indicators were not evident except for NDVI within 500 m and sperm vitality (β = 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.09). The 2nd quartile of distance to fresh water was associated with lower progressive motility compared to the 1st quartile (β = −0.10; 95% CI: −0.17, −0.03). Proportion of vitality was higher among men in the 2nd quartile of distance to roadways than those in the 1st quartile (0.08; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.15). Men in the 2nd quartile of NDVI had higher total motile sperm count (0.09; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.17). In the multi-exposure model, the positive association between NDVI and vitality remained (0.03; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06). We observed potential evidence regarding the impact of built environment on male fertility, specifically a positive association between residential greenness and sperm vitality among men with a history of infertility.
Epiphora before and after upper eyelid functional blepharoplasty: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pruksakorn Vannakorn , Chansangpetch Sunee
Published: August 2021

Epiphora and dermatochalasis are common presentations in the ophthalmology clinic. To evaluate the change of epiphora before and after functional blepharoplasty, this retrospective cohort study reviewed 39 medical records of epiphora patients who underwent upper blepharoplasty. Severity of epiphora using MUNK score was collected and compared between before and at 6 months after blepharoplasty. The analysis model was performed to measure tear breakup time (TBUT) and frequency of artificial tears use. Subgroups of subjects before blepharoplasty to short baseline TBUT (≤ 10 seconds) and long TBUT (≥ 10 seconds) were also evaluated for the MUNK score change. From the analysis of 39 patients, the results showed a statistically significant decrease in post blepharoplasty MUNK score compared to the baseline (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between baseline and post-operative TBUT (P > 0.05). Twenty patients were in the short TBUT group and 19 in the long TBUT group. The reduction of MUNK score after blepharoplasty in the short TBUT group was not different to the long TBUT group (P = 0.50, 95% CI -0.84 to 0.41). However, in short TBUT group, frequency of artificial tears use after surgery was less than pre-operation. From the study, upper eyelid blepharoplasty might be one technique reducing the bothersome epiphora in dermatochalasis patients.
Risk factors and risk profiles for neck pain in young adults: Prospective analyses from adolescence to young adulthood—The North-Trøndelag Health Study
Authors: Jahre Henriette , Grotle Margreth , Småstuen Milada , Guddal Maren Hjelle , Smedbråten Kaja , Richardsen Kåre Rønn , Stensland Synne , Storheim Kjersti , Øiestad Britt Elin
Published: August 2021

The objective was to investigate risk factors and risk profiles associated with neck pain in young adults using longitudinal data from the North-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). Risk factors were collected from adolescents (13–19 years of age), and neck pain was measured 11 years later. The sample was divided into two: Sample I included all participants (n = 1433), and Sample II (n = 832) included only participants who reported no neck/shoulder pain in adolescence. In multiple regression analyses in Sample I, female sex (OR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.3–2.9]), low physical activity level (OR = 1.6, 95% CI [1.0–2.5]), loneliness (OR = 2.0, 95% CI [1.2–3.5]), headache/migraine (OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.2–2.6]), back pain (OR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.0–2.4]) and neck/shoulder pain (OR = 2.0, 95% [CI 1.3–3.0]) were associated with neck pain at the 11-year follow-up. Those with a risk profile including all these risk factors had the highest probability of neck pain of 67% in girls and 50% in boys. In Sample II, multiple regression analyses revealed that female sex (OR = 2.2, 95% CI [1.3–3.7]) and perceived low family income (OR = 2.4, 95% CI [1.1–5.1]) were associated with neck pain at the 11-year follow-up. Girls and boys with a perceived low family income had a 29% and 17% higher probability of neck pain than adolescents with a perceived high family income. The risk profiles in both samples showed that co-occurrence of risk factors, such as headache/migraine, neck/shoulder pain, back pain, low physical activity level, loneliness, and perceived low family income cumulatively increased the probability of neck pain in young adulthood. These results underline the importance of taking a broad perspective when studying, treating, and preventing neck pain in adolescents.
Outcomes in 1096 patients with severe thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura before the Caplacizumab era
Authors: Van de Louw Andry , Mariotte Eric , Darmon Michael , Cohrs Austin , Leslie Douglas , Azoulay Elie
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) combined with immunosuppression has been the cornerstone of the initial management. To produce optimal benefits, emerging treatments must be used against a background of best standard of care. Clarifying current uncertainties is therefore crucial.

Methods

The objective of this study was to analyze a large high-quality database (Marketscan) of TTP patients managed between 2005 and 2014, in the pre-caplacizumab era, in order to assess the impact of time to first TPE and use of first-line rituximab on mortality, and whether mortality declines over time.

Results

Among the 1096 included patients (median age 46 [IQR 35–55], 70% female), 28.8% received TPE before day 2 in the ICU. Hospital mortality was 7.6% (83 deaths). Mortality was independently associated with older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.024/year; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], [1.009–1.040]), diagnosis of sepsis (HR, 2.360; 95%CI [1.552–3.588]), and the need for mechanical ventilation (HR, 4.103; 95%CI, [2.749–6.126]). Factors independently associated with lower mortality were TPE at ICU admission (HR, 0.284; 95%CI, [0.112–0.717]), TPE within one day after ICU admission (HR, 0.449; 95%CI, [0.275–0.907]), and early rituximab therapy (HR, 0.229; 95% CI, [0.111–0.471]). Delayed TPE was associated with significantly higher costs.

Conclusions

Immediate TPE and early rituximab are associated with improved survival in TTP patients. Improved treatments have led to a decline in mortality over time, and alternate outcome variables such as the use of hospital resources or longer term outcomes therefore need to be considered.
Effects of shoe weight on landing impact and side-to-side asymmetry
Authors: Wang I-Lin , Gao Jin-Jiang , Wang Li-I , Zhang Ke-Ke
Published: August 2021

Shoes of different weights affect proprioception. Drop jump (DJ) tasks are often used to explore the risks and mechanisms of lower limb injuries. Leg dominance mainly refers to differences between the dominant and nondominant legs. Eight males and eight females participated in this study. The weights of the shoes in this investigation were 255 g, 335 g, and 415 g, and the heights of the DJ were 30 cm, 40 cm, and 50 cm. The side-to-side asymmetry of the time of contact initiation for the 30DJ was greater than that of the 40DJ and 50DJ, and the asymmetry for shoes weighing 415 g and 355 g was greater than that for shoes weighing 255 g. When the drop height increased, the side-to-side asymmetry of the peak ground reaction force (PGRF). also increased. The ground contact time increased as the drop height increased to 50DJ. Higher drop heights caused greater side-to-side asymmetry of the PGRF. Heavier shoes caused the peak ground reaction force time (PGRFT) in the nondominant leg to appear earlier, reduced the jump height and affected the performance. Heavier shoes caused greater side-to-side asymmetry at the initial ground contact and at the ground contact time, affecting training effectiveness.
Efficacy of a four-tier infection response system in the emergency department during the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak
Authors: Choi Arom , Kim Ha Yan , Cho Ara , Noh Jiyoung , Park Incheol , Chung Hyun Soo
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has delayed the management of other serious medical conditions. This study presents an efficient method to prevent the degradation of the quality of diagnosis and treatment of other critical diseases during the pandemic.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study. The primary outcome was ED length of stay (ED LOS). The secondary outcomes were the door-to-balloon time in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and door-to-brain computed tomography time for patients with suspected stroke. The outcome measures were compared between patients who were treated in the red and orange zones designated as the changeable isolation unit and those who were treated in the non-isolation care unit. To control confounding factors, we performed propensity score matching, following which, outcomes were analyzed for non-inferiority.

Results

The mean ED LOS for hospitalized patients in the isolation and non-isolation care units were 406.5 min (standard deviation [SD], 237.9) and 360.2 min (SD, 226.4), respectively. The mean difference between the groups indicated non-inferiority of the isolation care unit (p = 0.037) but not in the patients discharged from the ED (p>0.999). The mean difference in the ED LOS for patients admitted to the ICU between the isolation and non-isolation care units was -22.0 min (p = 0.009). The mean difference in the door-to-brain computed tomography time between patients with suspected stroke in the isolation and non-isolation care units was 7.4 min for those with confirmed stroke (p = 0.013), and -20.1 min for those who were discharged (p = 0.012). The mean difference in the door-to-balloon time between patients who underwent coronary angiography in the isolation and non-isolation care units was -2.1 min (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Appropriate and efficient handling of a properly planned ED plays a key role in improving the quality of medical care for other critical diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Comportamiento mecánico de pilotes geotérmicos. Estudios experimentales
Authors: Pardo de Santayana Fernando , Santiago Cristina , De Groot María
Published: August 2021

El artículo se centra en los estudios experimentales sobre el comportamiento mecánico de los pilotes geotérmicos. Se presenta de forma resumida el proyecto español PITERM (2011-2013), sobre un pilote experimental de hormigón prefabricado, hincado en Valencia, y sometido a cargas mecánicas y térmicas, simulando su funcionamiento durante el verano, en modo climatización. Se incluye una breve revisión de pruebas experimentales realizadas en diferentes países, cuyos resultados van al encuentro de los obtenidos en PITERM, confirman el modelo conceptual representativo de un comportamiento termo-elástico, para los niveles de cargas térmicas esperables en las aplicaciones reales, y revelan la importancia del perfil de terreno atravesado y de las condiciones de restricción en pie y cabeza del pilote. Se hace también una pequeña revisión de trabajos experimentales sobre modelos a escala reducida en centrífuga, y se finaliza con algunos apuntes sobre las líneas de investigación más recientes a nivel internacional.
Velocidade de carregamento na estimativa de parâmetros geotécnicos
Authors: Schnaid Fernando , Schumann Marques Martins Ian , Guimarães Delgado Bruno , Odebrecht Edgar
Published: August 2021

A influência da velocidade de carregamento no comportamento de geo-materiais e, por decorrência, na estimativa de seus parâmetros constitutivos se constitui em um dos desafios da engenharia geotécnica. Durante eventos dinâmicos ou carregamentos rápidos, como terremotos, o solo exibe comportamento distinto daquele observado ao longo da vida útil da estrutura, gerando poro pressões elevadas e tensões cisalhantes mobilizadas pela parcela de escoamento viscoso. No outro lado do espectro, baixas taxas de deformações produzem drenagem parcial durante o cisalhamento e, nestes casos, a resistência mobilizada não corresponde a comportamento não-drenado. Este artigo discute o comportamento de solos quando submetidos a uma ampla gama de taxas de deformação, discutindo efeito das condições de drenagem necessárias para a transição entre uma resposta drenada a velocidades de deformação baixas, para uma resposta não-drenada ou viscosa especialmente em ensaios realizados a altas taxas de deformação. O artigo reúne pesquisas desenvolvidas no Brasil e em Portugal, enfatizando suas contribuições à prática de projetos geotécnicos.
Comportamento de solos estabilizados quimicamente e reforçados com fibras sob ações monotónicas e cíclicas
Authors: Lemos Luis , Correia António A. S. , Venda Oliveira Paulo
Published: August 2021

No presente trabalho pretende-se analisar o comportamento de solos quimicamente estabilizados não reforçados e reforçados com fibras metálicas e de polipropileno. Inicialmente aborda-se o comportamento sob ações monotónicas de compressão e tração, tendo como referencial o solo mole do Baixo Mondego. Posteriormente, analisa-se o efeito do carregamento cíclico no comportamento de uma areia, um silte e de um solo orgânico, confrontando os resultados de ensaios de compressão não confinada (UCS) e de compressão diametral (CD) em condições monotónicas com os ensaios equivalentes previamente submetidos a carregamento cíclico. Em complemento, também se analisam as deformações permanentes acumuladas registadas na fase cíclica. Os resultados permitem observar que: i) o reforço com ambos os tipos de fibras aumenta a ductilidade do solo estabilizado; ii) o efeito da inclusão de fibras nas propriedades mecânicas depende do nível de cimentação, i.e., para reduzidos teores de ligante a inclusão de fibras tem efeito positivo, registando-se um efeito contraproducente para elevados teores de ligante; iii) independentemente do tipo de solo, a solicitação cíclica induz a melhoria das propriedades mecânicas dos solos estabilizados.
Dinámica de deslizamientos en rocas blandas arcillosas
Authors: Alonso Pérez de Ágreda Eduardo , Pinyol Puigmartí Núria , Yerro Colom Alba
Published: August 2021

El artículo analiza el comportamiento de deslizamientos en rocas caracterizadas por el predominio de su componente arcillosa y por una tipología de movimientos que se explican por el agotamiento de la resistencia al esfuerzo cortante en superficies o bandas de pequeño espesor. El artículo se centra en primeras roturas y, posteriormente, en el efecto de los planos de corte internos que se desarrollan por compatibilidad de movimiento. Las primeras roturas en materiales que exhiben un comportamiento de reblandecimiento bajo tensión están generalmente precedidas por un mecanismo de rotura progresiva seguido de un movimiento acelerado. El tipo de solicitación exterior (carga, descarga, cambio en presiones intersticiales) controla el mecanismo de rotura y su evolución. Ello se ilustra en varios ejemplos de roturas (Selborne, Viladesens, Sabadell, Aznalcóllar). Por otro lado, mediante análisis de sensibilidad utilizando el “método del punto material”, se muestra que el desplazamiento esperable depende del Índice de Fragilidad de la roca arcillosa. La geometría de las superficies de deslizamiento, a menudo consecuencia de la geología y los planos o estratos de debilidad, determina la evolución del movimiento y el desarrollo de superficies de corte en el interior de la masa movilizada que cruzan los planos de sedimentación. Este aspecto se analiza mediante ejemplos de deslizamientos compuestos y el caso del deslizamiento de Cortes (Valencia).
ON THE ISSUE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REGIONAL STATE PROGRAMS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE ALTAI TERRITORY)
Authors: Voloskov A. B.
Published: August 2021

The article discusses the problems of improving strategic planning in the context of methodological support for the development of state regional programs. On the example of the State Program «Development of Education in the Altai Territory», the expediency and the possibility of a preliminary (prior to the approval of the document) assessment of the feasibility of the development goals set in regional state programs, assessment of the necessary resources to achieve them, determination of the values of indicators of socio-economic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are shown. The article discusses a mechanism for assessing the effectiveness of a specific program using integral indicators and economic and mathematical modeling. The values of the integral indicators are determined using the principal component method for the base and final year of the program and are included in the model in the form of constraints within which the calculated values are determined. The difference between the basic and calculated values of the integral indicators with strict equality of the sought and software funds shows the degree of the program’s feasibility.
DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF DIGITALIZATION IN THE REGION IN THE DIRECTION OF RENDERING STATE AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES TO THE POPULATION
Authors: Koshevoy O. S.
Published: August 2021

In the context of the formation of a digital society in the Russian Federation, in addition to the introduction of digital technologies in the economy, production and distribution, great importance is attached to the digitalization of the population by organizing its access to various services based on the use of the Internet. This is the appeal of citizens to employees of state and municipal government bodies through the use of virtual reception rooms, this is an appeal to various medical institutions, institutions of higher and secondary education, the purchase of travel documents, etc. However, the most popular technological tool that fully covers almost all the needs of the population of the Russian Federation is the port of state and municipal services, which is fully harmonized with the current legislation. Unfortunately, the demand for the portal in various regions of the Russian Federation is heterogeneous, both in general, in terms of the total volume of services provided, and in their structural content. To date, Rosstat has formed a fairly extensive empirical base that allows us to assess the uneven use of the portal of public services by various regions of the Russian Federation and to outline ways to overcome this inequality. This study is devoted to the consideration of the presented problem. In this paper, nonparametric methods for assessing the presence of a statistical relationship between features based on the use of conjugacy tables, frequency and comparative analyses are used as research methods.
ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT OF THE ALTAI TERRITORY USING ECONOMETRIC MODELING METHODS
Authors: Kuzmin P. I. , Zinoviev A. G. , Obiremko S. I. , Isaeva O. V.
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to a socio-economic study of the state and development of the economy of the Altai Territory in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the consequences of the sanctions imposed on the initiative of the European Union and the United States since 2014. As an objective assessment of the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and sanctions on the region’s economy, this article proposes a mechanism for using econometric methods in the process of economic and mathematical modeling of the gross regional product in order to show the relationship and interdependence between the gross regional product and the identified main factors directly affecting it influence. Using the Cobb-Douglas production function and a linear multiple regression model, the article analyzes the relationship and interdependence of the gross regional product on the cost of fixed assets, investments, the number of employed people. The results obtained made it possible to formulate a conclusion about the very insignificant effectiveness of the impact of sanctions measures and the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on the gross regional product.
METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO CREATING A MODEL OF COST-EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR MANAGING INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY OF HOTEL ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Levchenko T. P. , Moldazhanov M. B. , Purichi V. V. , Strishkina I. V.
Published: August 2021

The transition of hotel organizations to a qualitatively new level of development can be ensured by the formation and use of a cost-effective innovation management mechanism. The article attempts to create a model of a cost-effective management mechanism that could take into account the multifaceted relationships of indicators and indicators of innovative activity. The operation of this mechanism implies the use of indicative control tools, as well as factor and scenario modeling. The author considers the mechanism from the perspective of implementing five interconnected blocks: subjects, goals and tasks, objects, processes and resulting effects. The content of the resulting effects of the implementation of innovative processes based on the calculation of integral indicators of innovative activity and its elements. Based on the proposed model of a cost-effective mechanism for managing the innovative activity of hotel organizations, an analysis of trends in the level of innovative activity was carried out at using the example of three hotel in Sochi, their graphical interpretation is presented. As part of the presented model, scenario modeling of innovative activity management was carried out as one of its tools, a graph of the ratio of indicators of innovative activity of hotel organizations in Sochi was built.
Study of the Historical Demography of Kyrgyzstan in the 20th — Early 21st Centuries. Part one
Authors: Elemanova R.T.
Published: August 2021

The article is the first part of the study, which examines the issues related to the study of the history of population and historical demography of Kyrgyzstan. The emphasis is made on the issues of historiography on the basis of scientific literature on the problems of history and demography of Kyrgyzstan in the 20th — 21st centuries. The analysis and assessment of the main demographic indicators of the population of Kyrgyzstan in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods is considered, the process of change in demographic policy, as well as its impact on the socio-economic situation in the republic, are analyzed. It is concluded that the historiography of the historical demography of Kyrgyzstan is based on macro approaches to the study of demography processes, which was typical for Soviet historical science as a whole. The main problems of studying the history of the population of Kyrgyzstan, to which researchers were addressed, were the population census, changes in the number and distribution of the Kyrgyz, the impact of the 1916 uprising. on the demographic development of the Kyrgyz people, the settlement of nomads on the land, socio-cultural changes in Kyrgyzstan and their impact on the change of demographic characteristics. Much attention was also paid to public policy in the field of governance and influence on demographic processes.
Accompanying Burials of Horses in the Funeral Rite of the Population of the Bystryanka Culture of Altai in the Scythian-Saka Time
Authors: Radovsky S.S. , Seregin N.N.
Published: August 2021

The article presents the results of the study of one of the elements of the ritual practice of the population of the Bystryanka archaeological culture — the tradition of arranging accompanying burials of horses to a person's burial. The analysis of materials from excavations of all known necropolises of the northern foothills of Altai of the Scythian-Saka time with the involvement of information about the complexes of «early» nomads in adjacent territories is carried out. Despite the known limitations of the source base, including those associated with the robbery of most of the objects, the available data turned out to be sufficient to indicate the key characteristics of horse burials made by the population of the Bystryanka culture. It was found that one horse or several animals were in 59 objects studied at 18 burial grounds, which is about a third of the recorded complexes. As a rule, the horse was placed on the step to the right of the deceased person, parallel to it and was oriented in the same sector of the horizon as the deceased, most often in the western direction. The fixation of elements of equipment on horses probably reflects the key «transport» function of animals in the ritual practice of the ancient population.
Evaluation of Department Head Person Based on Gender, Gender Role Orientation, and Attachment of Labels in Dire Dawa University
Authors: Jibril Mustefa
Published: August 2021

The study, designed to find out the gender outcome, gender roles, and labeling of labels in the department's head examination, was conducted using 194 study participants recruited from lecturers at Dire Dawa University in Ethiopia 116 female and 78 were males aged 29.23. The following five labels are used: Department head in general, efficient male Department head, efficient female Department head, inefficient male Department head, and inefficient female Department head) were responded to by the research participants. Seven different hypotheses were tested using ANOVA. Findings revealed that gender role orientation had a significant effect on the evaluation of the Department head. Furthermore, there were no significant effects of gender, and attachment of labels on the evaluation of Department head and no interaction effects of gender and gender role orientation, gender and attachment of labels and gender, gender role orientation, and attachment of labels on the evaluation of Department head.
SWOT Analysis of Solar Pumping Finance Fund (PV Fund)
Authors: Abdalla Ahmed
Published: August 2021

Sudan is a country with a great abundance of fertile and arable land as well as water resources. However, unstable Nile levels and seasonal rain limit agricultural spans in the year, and agricultural activities far from river banks make it necessary to use underground water. Photovoltaic water pumping systems have been available in Sudan from early times, however high up-front costs for initial investment contributed to halting widespread use of the systems. A recent project developed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sudan, the PV fund, incentivizes the deployment of such systems for farmers by introducing a low-risk ﬁnance mechanism. This paper aims to conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats, and Opportunities (SWOT) analysis on this ﬁnance mechanism, and further propose recommendations and alternatives. The study concluded that the strengths are not requiring the beneficiary to provide any guarantees to obtain finance, solving the problem of high-cost PV pumping, distributing risks to the financiers, and attracting farmers and beneficiaries because the repayment period is 4 years. The weak point is the long-term operability. It also provides future opportunities for banks and financial institutions to finance the mechanisms of pumping water, which helps industrial and urban development. The main threats are the government, inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and difficulty in pricing equipment.