43 research outputs found
A Competitive Success Model in the Hotel Industry
The aim of the paper focus on identifying those factors involved in the competitive success of
hotel companies and the interrelations between them, taking into account the socio-economic
influence that these companies might have on Andalusian region and the few studies carried
out in tourism sector so far. The study tries to specify an econometric model that may include
factors that appear as mechanisms for the generation of competitive advantage. The research
model allows us to identify the relative impact of the “industry factor” and the company’s
own specific factors, “hotel intangible resources”, on competitive success
Una aproximación al estudio de la eficiencia en las agencias de viajes
El objetivo del artículo se basa en evaluar la eficiencia de las de las Agencias de Viajes
españolas en su actividad de gestión. Con tal fin se realiza un análisis que considera
conjuntamente indicadores de recursos e indicadores de resultado de las agencias
utilizadas en el estudio. La metodología aplicada se apoya en la técnica no paramétrica
de medición de la eficiencia conocida como Análisis Envolvente de Datos (DEA). Esta
técnica permite estimar la eficiencia técnica y de escala con la que operan las agencias
de viajes. El artículo explica además la eficiencia de dicho sector mediante aquellas
variables relacionadas con la estrategia de integración de cada unidad de análisis
utilizando un modelo de regresión tobit. La aplicación empírica realizada sobre una
muestra de 40 agencias de viajes evidencia elevados índices de ineficiencia técnica y
escala, así como el importante impacto que la integración vertical/horizontal tiene sobre
el nivel de eficiencia de las mismas.The aim of the article is based on the evaluation of the efficiency in the management
activities of the Spanish Travel Agencies. According to this objective, an analysis based
on input and output indicators of each Travel Agencies are used. The methodology
applied, held by a non-parametric technique for the measurement of efficiency, is
known as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). This technique allows us to estimate the
technological and scale efficiency of those Travel Agencies involved in the study. The
article explains the efficiency of that sector as a function of those variables related to the
integration strategic of each unit of analysis using the Tobit Regression Model. The
empirical application over a sample of 40 agencies gives evidence of both the high
technological and scale inefficiencies and the important impact of the horizontal/vertical
integration on the level of efficiency of those agencies considered in the study
Thoughts on the applicability of "theory of mediate authorship in organized power structures" in Colombia
En este artículo sostenemos que la masacre de Machuca ocurrida en 1998 abre cabida a la “Teoría de la Autoría Mediata en Estructuras Organizadas de Poder” en el ámbito jurídico Colombiano. El problema a tratar, radica en torno al análisis de la aplicabilidad de la teoría, habida cuenta que el artículo 29 del Código Penal colombiano limita la responsabilidad a quien realice “la conducta punible por si mismo o utilizando a otro como instrumento”. Para probar la viabilidad de la aplicación de la teoría en el caso colombiano el artículo se divide en tres partes: En la primera se plantea la teoría de Roxin sobre la autoría mediata en virtud de estructuras de poder; En la segunda parte se hará una aproximación a problemas que se han presentado en la aplicación de esta teoría por los tribunales internos que han hecho uso de ella, y veremos como el Estatuto de Roma pone fin a algunas discusiones doctrinales sobre la teoría. Finalmente, se analizará el Artículo 29 del Código Penal colombiano que nos permite afirmar que debe hacerse una interpretación amplia de dicha norma que permita la aplicación de la teoría en cuestión, como se muestra por el concepto del procurador en el caso Machuca.The Machuca massacre gives room to the discussion of the theory of the “control of the act in an organized system of power” in Colombia. The problem relies in analyzing the applicability of the theory taking into account that the article 29 of the Colombian Penal Code sets out boundaries to the attribution of liability by stating that only those who commit acts by themselves or using other as an instrument can be held responsible for a felony. In order to evidence that this theory can be use in Colombia this article will be divided in three main parts: The first one will present the theory of Claus Roxin; the second part will address some problems of the application of this theory by national tribunals, and will analyze how does the Rome Statute face this discussion; In the third section we will focus on the Colombian Penal Code, to conclude that this theory could be applied in Machuca case
Androgen receptor polyQ alleles and COVID-19 severity in men: a replication study
Background: Ample evidence indicates a sex-related difference in severity of COVID19, with less favorable outcomes observed in men. Genetic factors have been proposed
as candidates to explain this difference. The polyglutamine (polyQ) polymorphism in
the androgen receptor gene has been recently described as a genetic biomarker of
COVID-19 severity.
Objective: To test the association between the androgen receptor polyQ polymorphism and COVID-19 severity in a large cohort of COVID-19 male patients.
Materials and methods: This study included 1136 male patients infected with SARSCoV-2 as confirmed by positive PCR. Patients were retrospectively and prospectively
enrolled from March to November 2020. Patients were classified according to their
severity into three categories: oligosymptomatic, hospitalized and severe patients
requiring ventilatory support. The number of CAG repeats (polyQ polymorphism) at
the androgen receptor was obtained by PCR and patients were classified as either
short (<23 repeats) or long (≥23 repeats) allele carriers. The association between
polyQ alleles (short or long) and COVID-19 severity was assessed by Chi-squared
(Chi2) and logistic regression analysis.
Results: The mean number of polyQ CAG repeats was 22 (±3). Patients were classified
as oligosymptomatic (15.5%), hospitalized (63.2%), and severe patients (21.3%) requiring substantial respiratory support. PolyQ alleles distribution did not show significant
differences between severity classes in our cohort (Chi2 test p > 0.05). Similar results
were observed after adjusting by known risk factors such as age, comorbidities, and
ethnicity (multivariate logistic regression analysis)Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spanish Ministry of Science and
Innovation (COVID-19 Research Call; COV20/00181) co-financed by
European Development Regional Fund (FEDER, A way to achieve
Europe); Estrella de Levante (E G-N); Colabora Mujer (E G-N); Instituto
de Salud Carlos III (Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades
Raras, CIBERer); IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-UAM Chair in Genomic
Medicine; Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Miguel Servet Contract Number: CP17/00006
and Juan Rodes Contract Number: JR17/00020) co-financied by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER); CEGEN-PRB3-ISCIII is
funded by ISCIII and ERDF, Grant Number: PT17/001
Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines
Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions
and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools.
Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of
various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We
came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following:
Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing
complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications
should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added.
Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico.
Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed
Discourse Analysis and Terminology in Languages for Specific Purposes
Aquest importantíssim recull conté estudis i reflexions sobre temes rellevants en la recerca sobre LSP: anglès mèdic, el llenguatge de la publicitat i periodístic, telecomunicacions i terminologia informàtica, llenguatge comercial i jurídic... Malgrat que gran part dels treballs aplegats es refereixen a l'anglès, també hi ha que tracten l'alemany, francès i altres llengües.
Conté textos en anglès, francés, portuguès i castellà
A blood microRNA classifier for the prediction of ICU mortality in COVID-19 patients: a multicenter validation study
Background: The identification of critically ill COVID-19 patients at risk of fatal outcomes remains a challenge. Here, we first validated candidate microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for clinical decision-making in critically ill patients. Second, we constructed a blood miRNA classifier for the early prediction of adverse outcomes in the ICU. Methods: This was a multicenter, observational and retrospective/prospective study including 503 critically ill patients admitted to the ICU from 19 hospitals. qPCR assays were performed in plasma samples collected within the first 48 h upon admission. A 16-miRNA panel was designed based on recently published data from our group. Results: Nine miRNAs were validated as biomarkers of all-cause in-ICU mortality in the independent cohort of critically ill patients (FDR < 0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that low expression levels of eight miRNAs were associated with a higher risk of death (HR from 1.56 to 2.61). LASSO regression for variable selection was used to construct a miRNA classifier. A 4-blood miRNA signature composed of miR-16-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-323a-3p and miR-451a predicts the risk of all-cause in-ICU mortality (HR 2.5). Kaplan‒Meier analysis confirmed these findings. The miRNA signature provides a significant increase in the prognostic capacity of conventional scores, APACHE-II (C-index 0.71, DeLong test p-value 0.055) and SOFA (C-index 0.67, DeLong test p-value 0.001), and a risk model based on clinical predictors (C-index 0.74, DeLong test-p-value 0.035). For 28-day and 90-day mortality, the classifier also improved the prognostic value of APACHE-II, SOFA and the clinical model. The association between the classifier and mortality persisted even after multivariable adjustment. The functional analysis reported biological pathways involved in SARS-CoV infection and inflammatory, fibrotic and transcriptional pathways. Conclusions: A blood miRNA classifier improves the early prediction of fatal outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients.11 página
Effects of intubation timing in patients with COVID-19 throughout the four waves of the pandemic : a matched analysis
The primary aim of our study was to investigate the association between intubation timing and hospital mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. We also analysed both the impact of such timing throughout the first four pandemic waves and the influence of prior non-invasive respiratory support on outcomes. This is a secondary analysis of a multicentre, observational and prospective cohort study that included all consecutive patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 from across 58 Spanish intensive care units (ICU) participating in the CIBERESUCICOVID project. The study period was between 29 February 2020 and 31 August 2021. Early intubation was defined as that occurring within the first 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to achieve balance across baseline variables between the early intubation cohort and those patients who were intubated after the first 24 h of ICU admission. Differences in outcomes between early and delayed intubation were also assessed. We performed sensitivity analyses to consider a different timepoint (48 h from ICU admission) for early and delayed intubation. Of the 2725 patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation, a total of 614 matched patients were included in the analysis (307 for each group). In the unmatched population, there were no differences in mortality between the early and delayed groups. After PS matching, patients with delayed intubation presented higher hospital mortality (27.3% versus 37.1%, p =0.01), ICU mortality (25.7% versus 36.1%, p=0.007) and 90-day mortality (30.9% versus 40.2%, p=0.02) when compared to the early intubation group. Very similar findings were observed when we used a 48-hour timepoint for early or delayed intubation. The use of early intubation decreased after the first wave of the pandemic (72%, 49%, 46% and 45% in the first, second, third and fourth wave, respectively; first versus second, third and fourth waves p<0.001). In both the main and sensitivity analyses, hospital mortality was lower in patients receiving high-flow nasal cannula (n=294) who were intubated earlier. The subgroup of patients undergoing NIV (n=214) before intubation showed higher mortality when delayed intubation was set as that occurring after 48 h from ICU admission, but not when after 24 h. In patients with COVID-19 requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, delayed intubation was associated with a higher risk of hospital mortality. The use of early intubation significantly decreased throughout the course of the pandemic. Benefits of such an approach occurred more notably in patients who had received high-flow nasal cannul