Proceso de formación de precios de commodities en las empresas de comercio exterior

The current world economic scene demands on those companies that dedicate to the foreign trade activity, to carry out in a more efficient way, a correct management of the stock market products’ prices. For this reason, the present study is about the importance of doing an accurate pricing, to achieve fewer losses and higher profits, given the existent volatilityof the prices. Moreover, a diagnosis is done to four Cubans companies in order to identify the principal problems and, finally proposing a measure plan with the main goal to improve the company’s results.El escenario económico mundial actual demanda que las empresas que se dedican a la actividad de comercio exterior realicen, de manera cada vez más eficiente, una correcta gestión de precios. Por tal motivo, el presente artículo trata sobre la importancia de realizar una correcta formación de precios en las empresas que comercializan commodities para, así, lograr menores pérdidas y mayores ganancias ante la volatilidad existente de los mismos. Además, se realiza un análisis de la situación actual de cuatro empresas vinculadas al comercio exterior en Cuba, con la finalidad de proponer un plan de acción que propicie mejores resultados para dichas empresas

Is Restless Legs Syndrome Associated with an Increased Risk of Mortality? A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder,. although controversial, growing evidence relates the presence of RLS to an increased risk of mortality, mainly due to cardiovascular events. The aim of this article was to review the role of RLS as a risk factor of mortality according to independent cohort studies. Methods: We performed a literature review via PubMed database for articles relating RLS and mortality. We used the random-effects model to calculate the pooled effect estimates on mortality. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: Out of 100 articles identified, 13 were finally included. Although studies were heterogeneous (p = 0.001), no significant publication bias was found. When all cohort studies were considered, the random-effects model yielded a significantly increased risk of mortality in RLS versus non-RLS patients (13 studies, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–1.80). However, this association was not statistically significant when only cohort studies using the international RLS diagnostic criteria were considered (5 studies, HR = 1.63, 95% CI 0.94–2.81). Discussion: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that RLS seems to be a risk factor of mortality, although this association is conditioned by the diagnostic criteria used in the studies. Future long-term follow-up standardized mortality studies are needed to address this important question that carries potential impact on population global health

Tremor Control Devices for Essential Tremor: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: There is a growing interest in nonpharmacological approaches for essential tremor (ET), including tremor cancelation devices. However, the true efficacy of such devices in ET remains unclear. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using standardized criteria regarding efficacy and comfortability. Devices focused on design or experimental testing in which tremor was simulated in a robot were excluded. Results: Out of 324 articles initially identified, 12 articles were included. Orthoses using biomechanical loading and neuromodulation with electrical stimulation, and external tremor cancelation devices, were the main interventions used to suppress tremor. All devices were designed to control tremor of the upper limbs at different anatomical locations. Overall, an average tremor attenuation of 50–98% was reported (level of evidence III). Interference with voluntary movements and portability was described as the main drawback. Discussion: In conclusion, this review highlights the growing interest in emerging tremor control devices and the importance of assessing comfort without affecting voluntary movements. However, the level of evidence regarding the efficacy of these tremor control devices remains low. An integrated multidisciplinary combination approach of engineering, robotics, physiology, physiotherapy, and clinical assessment is needed to improve the quality of non-pharmacological interventions for ET

Mindfulness en discapacidad intelectual. Un estudio

Resumen: Introducción: La discapacidad intelectual presenta una serie de manifestaciones clínicas que repercuten a nivel psicológico, emocional, social y funcional. El Mindfulness pretende cambiar la relación que las personas mantienen con las actividades diarias, procurando dirigirlas al momento presente. De esta forma conocerán mejor sus respuestas en el medio, y se favorecerá una regulación emocional y conductual. Objetivo: Evidenciar el efecto que la aplicación de la técnica Mindfulness tiene como medio para mejorar las destrezas de comunicación y sociales en personas con discapacidad intelectual, desde terapia ocupacional. Metodología: Estudio de tipo longitudinal, cuasi-experimental. Se recogen datos sobre las habilidades sociales de los usuarios y las facetas del Mindfulness, mediante las escalas EHS y FFMQ respectivamente. La intervención se realizó con la técnica Mindfulness en 8 sesiones de 45 minutos. Y una muestra de 12 usuarios, con una edad promedio de 40 años (DT = ± 8,21307). Resultados: Se obtuvieron mejoras estadísticamente significativas en la autoexpresión en situaciones sociales y en el inicio de interacciones positivas con el sexo opuesto. Conclusiones: Las puntuaciones han mejorado en todas las variables en el post-test, aunque no todas de forma significativa. Probablemente aumentar el número de sesiones incrementaría la probabilidad de encontrar resultados más significativos.Abstract: Introduction: Intellectual disability presents a series of clinical manifestations that affect psychological, emotional, social, and functional level. The Mindfulness aims to change the relationship that people have with daily activities, trying to point them at the present moment. In this way you will know better answers in the Middle, and you will favour emotional regulation, and behavioral. Objective: Demonstrate the effect of applying the Mindfulness technique as a means to improve communication skills and social in people with intellectual disabilities from occupational therapy. Methodology: Type longitudinal, quasi-experimental study. Collected data about the social skills of the users and the facets of the Mindfulness, using the EHS and FFMQ scales respectively. The intervention was carried out with the Mindfulness technique in 8 sessions of 45 minutes. And a sample of 12 users, with an average age of 40 years (DT = ± 8,21307). Results: Were statistically significant improvement in self-expression in social situations and in the beginning of positive interactions with the opposite sex. Conclusions: Scores have improved in all the variables in the post-test, but not all in a meaningful way. Likely to increase the number of sessions would increase the probability of finding more significant results

Previous falls and risk of falls in relation to fragility

Esta investigación descriptiva transversal estudia la relación entre el número de caídas durante el último mes y el riesgo de caídas de una parte; y la situación de fragilidad en adultos mayores de otra parte; en una muestra de 194 personas mayores institucionalizadas. La fragilidad se mide con la herramienta Short Physical Performance Battery, las caídas previas durante el último mes se recogen de manera numérica y el riesgo de caídas se mide mediante la escala Downton. Los resultados no muestran diferencias significativas entre los grupos de fragilidad en relación al número de caídas previas durante el último mes. Sin embargo, sí que existen diferencias significativas entre los grupos de fragilidad que establece el SPPB y el riesgo de caídas; así, ya desde los resultados descriptivos se observa como las medias obtenidas en riesgo de caídas aumentan según el continumm robusto-prefrágil-frágil-dependiente avanza hacia la dependencia. En relación a las diferencias entre grupos, se encuentra que el grupo dependiente tiene diferencias significativas con todos los demás (p=,001); además, existen diferencias significativas entre frágil y robusto (p=,003). Por el contrario en las relaciones frágil-prefrágil y prefrágil-robusto las diferencias no son significativas. Los resultados obtenidos permiten la detección de la población con mayor riesgo de caídas, lo que posibilitaría implementar intervenciones precoces encaminadas a la prevención de caídas en base a las diferencias encontradas entre los grupos.This descriptive transversal research studies the relationship between number of falls in the last month and fall risk on one side; and frailty situation in older adults on the other side; through a 194 old institutionalized people sample. Frailty is measured with the Short Physical Performance Battery; previous falls in the last month are measured with the number of events, and fall risk with Downton scale. The results do not show any significant differences in frailty groups related to the number of previous falls in the last month. However, significant differences do exist between frailty groups established in SPPB and fall risk; then, since descriptive results, they show how the arithmetical averages in fall risk increase as the continuum robust-prefrail-frail-dependent advances towards dependency. Concerning differences between groups, it is found that dependent group has got significant differences with all other (p=,001), there are significant differences also in frail-robust (p=,003). In opposition, the relation frail-prefrail and frail-robust do not show any significant differences Results allow the detection of high level fall risk population, which enables early intervention implementations aimed to falls prevention based on differences found between groups.peerReviewe

Basic and instrumental activities in relation to the situation of fragility

Esta investigación descriptiva transversal estudia la relación de la situación de fragilidad en adultos mayores y la existencia o no de dependencia para las actividades de la vida diaria divididas en básicas e instrumentales con una muestra de 194 personas mayores institucionalizadas. La fragilidad se mide con la herramienta Short Physical Performance Battery, las actividades básicas de la vida diaria mediante el Índice de Barthel y las actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria con la escala de Lawton y Brody. Los resultados descriptivos muestran como las medias obtenidas en ambas actividades de la vida diaria disminuyen según el continumm robusto-prefrágil-frágil-dependiente avanza hacia la dependencia. Las diferencias en todas las subescalas de la Short Phisical Performance Battery son significativas, al igual que en Barthel y Lawton y Brody (p<,001). En relación al Barthel y los grupos del SPPB se encuentra que todos los grupos obtienen diferencias significativas entre sí (,007>p>,001) excepto en la relación robusto-frágil, en el que las diferencias no son significativas. En cuanto Lawton y Brody las diferencias son significativas (,041>p>,001); exceptuando el caso de los grupos frágil y prefrágil. Las diferencias encontradas entre los grupos permiten un diagnóstico precoz e intervenciones encaminadas a la prevenir o revertir el avance hacia una situación de dependencia.This descriptive transversal research studies frailty situation in older adults and basic and instrumental activities of daily living relationship through a 194 old institucionalized people sample. Frailty is measured with the Short Physical Performance Battery; basic activities of daily living with Barthel Index and instrumental activities of daily living with Lawton and Brody scale. Descriptive results show how the arithmetical averages in both activities of daily living decrease as the continuum robust-prefrail-frail-dependent advances towards dependency. There are significant differences in all subscales of Short Physical Performance Battery, as well as in Barthel and Lawton and Brody (p<,001). Regarding to Barthel and SPPB groups, significant differences among all of them were found (,007>p>,001), except in the robust-prefrail relation, where differences are not meaningful. Concerning Lawton and Brody, differences are significant (,041>p>,001); except in fragil-prefrail relation. The differences found between groups allow an early diagnosis and interventions aimed to prevent or reverse the progress towards a dependency situation.peerReviewe

Accelerometer Cut-Points for Physical Activity Assessment in Adults with Mild to Moderate Huntington’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Multicentre Study

Accelerometers can estimate the intensity, frequency, and duration of physical activity in healthy adults. Although thresholds to distinguish varying levels of activity intensity using the Actigraph wGT3X-B have been established for the general population, their accuracy for Huntington’s disease (HD) is unknown. We aimed to define and cross-validate accelerometer cut-points for different walking speeds in adults with mild to moderate HD. A cross-sectional, multicentre, case-control, observational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 13 symptomatic ambulatory HD participants. The accelerometer was placed around the right hip, and a heart monitor was fitted around the chest to monitor heart rate variability. Participants walked on a treadmill at three speeds with light, moderate and vigorous intensities. Correlation and receiver operation curve analyses were performed between the accelerometer magnitude vector with relative oxygen and heart rate. Optimal cut-points for walking speeds of 3.2 km/h were ≤2852; 5.2 km/h: >2852 to ≤4117, and in increments until their maximum velocity: >4117. Our results support the application of the disease-specific cut-points for quantifying physical activity in patients with mild to moderate HD and promoting healthy lifestyle interventions.The project leading to these results has received funding from “La Caixa” Foundation (ID100010434), under agreement FUI1-PI008

Factores de riesgo en el ictus - influencia de la edad

Objective: To analyze the influence of different risk factors on the age at which a stroke occurs. Method: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted including all patients admitted consecutively with ischemic stroke at the University Hospital of Burgos (Spain). Sociodemographic and clinical, parameters were collected, exploring possible association with patient’s age by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: 436 patients were included, with a mean age of 75.39 years (SD ±12.674). The most frequent risk factors were high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. In the case of having a personal history of arterial hypertension (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.49; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.49-4.16), having a sedentary lifestyle (OR 3.24; 95%CI 1.97-5.31) was related with a greater probability that the patient is aged 75 years or older. However, being overweight/obese (OR 0.51; 95%CI 0.30-0.88), being an active smoker (OR 0.47; 95%CI 0.02-0.11) or alcohol consumption (OR 0.42; 95%CI 0.26-0.69) increased the probability of stroke occurrence before 75 years. Conclusion: The age of occurrence of a case is related to the occurrence of certain risk factors, which are determined in the planning of future education campaigns.Objetivo: Analizar la influencia que los distintos factores de riesgo ejercen sobre la edad a la que se produce un ictus. Método: Estudio observacional transversal en el que se incluyeron a todos los pacientes con ictus ingresados de forma consecutiva en el Hospital Universitario de Burgos (España). Se recogieron parámetros sociodemográficos y clínicos, estudiándose su posible relación con la edad mediante análisis univariante y multivariante. Resultados: Se incluyeron 436 pacientes, siendo la edad media de 75,39 años (DE ±12,674). Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes fueron la hipertensión arterial y la enfermedad cardiovascular. Se observó que el tener antecedentes personales de hipertensión arterial (OR 2,49; IC95% 1,49-4,16) ó el no tener un estilo de vida sedentario (OR 3,24; 1,97-5,31) se relacionó con una mayor probabilidad de que el paciente tuviera una edad igual o superior a 75 años. Sin embargo, el tener sobrepeso/obesidad (OR 0,51; IC95% 0,30-0,88), el ser fumador activo (OR 0,47; 0,02-0,11) ó el consumir alcohol (OR 0,42; 0,26-0,69) aumentó la probabilidad de que el ictus ocurriera antes de 75 años. Conclusión: La edad de aparición de un ictus se relaciona con la ocurrencia de determinados factores de riesgo, los cuales deberían ser considerados en la planificación de futuras campañas educacionales

Assistive Devices for Personal Mobility in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Artículo de revisiónGait abnormalities are a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease and contribute to falling risk. As disease symptoms progress, assistive devices are often prescribed. However, there are no guidelines for choosing appropriate ambulatory devices for gait impairment.This work was supported by the project PI19/00670 of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain. The authors declare that there are no additional disclosures to report relevant to this work