54 research outputs found
Philippine Industrial Development: Strategies in the Eighties
This article is presented before the 19th Annual Meeting of the Philippine Economic Society at the Manila Hotel on December 11, 1982. It discusses why the Philippine growth in the 1950s has not been sustained. It also reviews the major industrial policies and assistance to cottage, small- and medium-scale industries during the 1980s.productivity, People’s Car Program, industrial policies, utilization, investment
Philippine Industrial Development: Strategies in the Eighties
This article is presented before the 19th Annual Meeting of the Philippine Economic Society at the Manila Hotel on December 11, 1982. It discusses why the Philippine growth in the 1950s has not been sustained. It also reviews the major industrial policies and assistance to cottage, small- and medium-scale industries during the 1980s.productivity, People’s Car Program, industrial policies, utilization, investment
Probabilistic and machine learning methods for uncertainty quantification in power outage prediction due to extreme events
Strong hurricane winds damage power grids and cause cascading power failures. Statistical and machine learning models have been proposed to predict the extent of power disruptions due to hurricanes.
Existing outage models use inputs including power system information, environmental parameters, and demographic parameters. This paper reviews the existing power outage models, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Existing models were developed and validated with data from a few utility companies and regions, limiting the extent of their applicability
across geographies and hurricane events.
Instead, we train and validate these existing outage models using power outages from multiple regions and hurricanes, including hurricanes Harvey (2017), Michael (2018), and Isaias (2020), in 1910 US cities. The dataset includes outages from 39 utility companies in Texas, 5 in Florida, 5 in New Jersey, and 11 in New York. We discuss the limited ability of state-of-the-art machine learning models to (1) make bounded outage predictions, (2) extrapolate predictions to high winds, and (3) account for physics-informed outage uncertainties at low and high winds.
For example, we observe that existing models can predict outages higher than the number of customers (in 19.8 % of cities with an average overprediction ratio of 5.2) and cannot capture well the outage variance for high winds, especially above 70 m s−1. Our findings suggest that further developments are needed for power outage models for proper representation of hurricane-induced outages.</p
Multiple unilateral craniopathies (Guillain-Alajouanine-Garcin syndrome) resulting from a malignancy of the external auditory canal: a case report
Garcin syndrome (or Gullain-Alajouanine-Garcin syndrome) was first described in the year 1926, as a paralytic unilateral cranial syndrome consisting of multiple cranial nerve palsies, without findings pointing towards increased intracranial pressure or long tract involvement. A 54-year-old female presented to us initially with ptosis and lateral rectus palsy of the right eye, later on, followed by progressive hearing loss on the right ear, right facial hemianesthesia, and progressive ipsilateral facial paralysis. A mass at the external auditory canal was seen during otoscopy, and a biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Contrast-enhanced neuroimaging also showed an enhancing mass lesion at the right skull base
Bayesian Updating of Earthquake Vulnerability Functions with Application to Mortality Rates
Vulnerability functions often rely on data from expert opinion, post-earthquake investigations, or analytical simulations. Combining the information can be particularly challenging. In this paper a Bayesian statistical framework is presented to combining disparate information. The framework is illustrated through application to earthquake mortality data obtained from the 2005 Pakistan earthquake and from PAGER. Three different models are tested including an exponential, a combination of Bernoulli and exponential and Bernoulli and gamma fit to model respectively zero and non-zero mortality rates. A novel Bayesian model for the Bernoulli exponential and Bernoulli-gamma probability densities is introduced. It is found that the exponential distribution represents the zero casualties very poorly. The Bernoulli-exponential and Bernoulli-gamma models capture the data for both the zero and non-zero mortality rates. It is also shown that the Bernoulli-gamma model fits the 2005 Pakistan data the best and has uncertainties that are smaller than either the ones from the 2005 Pakistan data or the PAGER data.This research was partially supported by the Global Earthquake Model, by the National Science Foundation Grant CMMI 1233694 and the Shah Family Graduate Fellowship
Monitoring Coxiella burnetii Infection in Naturally Infected Dairy Sheep Flocks Throughout Four Lambing Seasons and Investigation of Viable Bacteria.
Progression of Coxiella burnetii infection in four naturally infected sheep flocks, and in their farm environment, was monitored throughout four lambing seasons. Flocks with an active infection were selected based on the presence of C. burnetii DNA in bulk-tank milk (BTM) and a high seroprevalence in yearlings during the previous milking period (Spring 2015). During four consecutive lambing seasons (2015/16-2018/19), samples were collected within 1 week after each lambing period from animals (vaginal swabs, milk and feces from ewes, and yearlings) and the environment (dust indoor sheep premises). BTM samples and aerosols (outdoors and indoors) were monthly collected between lambing and the end of milking. Real-time PCR analyses showed different trends in C. burnetii shedding in the flocks, with a general progressive decrease in bacterial shedding throughout the years, interrupted in three flocks by peaks of reinfection associated with specific management practices. A significant relationship was found between C. burnetii fecal shedding and the bacterial burden detected in dust, whereas shedding by vaginal route affected the detection of C. burnetii in indoor aerosols. Three genotypes were identified: SNP8 (three flocks, 52.9% of the samples), SNP1 (two flocks, 44.8% samples), and SNP5 (one flock, two environmental samples). Coxiella burnetii viability in dust measured by culture in Vero cells was demonstrated in two of the flocks, even during the fourth lambing season. The results showed that infection can remain active for over 5 years if effective control and biosafety measures are not correctly implemented.This work was funded by INIA—Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (RTA2017-00055-C02-00), the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), and the Basque Government. RÁ-A is beneficiary of a Ph.D. contract funded by INIA (FPI-2015-014). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.S
Cambios en el perfil bioquímico hepático de alpacas positivas a huevos de Fasciola hepática
The aim of this study was to determine changes in the liver biochemical profile in alpacas with presence of F. hepatica eggs. We used serum and feces samples of 35 male alpaca between 2-5 years old, 18 were positives and 17 were negatives in coproparasitologic analysis for F. hepatica eggs. Differences are showed (p<0.05) in the values of ALT, GGT and direct bilirubin between positives y negatives animals. We concluded that there is relationship between presence of F. hepatica eggs and high levels in the liver biochemical profile, maybe due to alterations in the hepatic parenchyma by chronic infection in alpacas.El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar cambios en el perfil bioquímico hepático en alpacas con presencia de huevos de F. hepatica en heces. Se utilizaron muestras de suero y heces de 35 alpacas machos de entre 2 y 5 años de edad, de los cuales 18 fueron positivos y 17 negativos al examen coproparasitológico (sedimentación) para identificación de huevos de F. hepática. Se observó diferencia significativa (p<0.05) entre los valores de ALT, GGT y bilirrubina directa entre los animales positivos y negativos. Concluimos que la presencia de huevos de Fasciola hepatica guarda relación con la elevación de algunos parámetros del perfil hepática posiblemente por alguna alteración en el parénquima producto de una infección crónica en alpacas
One Health Approach: An Overview of Q Fever in Livestock, Wildlife and Humans in Asturias (Northwestern Spain)
This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in domestic ruminants, wild ungulates, as well as the current situation of Q fever in humans in a small region in northwestern Spain where a close contact at the wildlife–livestock–human interface exists, and information on C. burnetii infection is scarce. Seroprevalence of C. burnetii was 8.4% in sheep, 18.4% in cattle, and 24.4% in goats. Real-time PCR analysis of environmental samples collected in 25 livestock farms detected Coxiella DNA in dust and/or aerosols collected in 20 of them. Analysis of sera from 327 wild ungulates revealed lower seroprevalence than that found in domestic ruminants, with 8.4% of Iberian red deer, 7.3% chamois, 6.9% fallow deer, 5.5% European wild boar and 3.5% of roe deer harboring antibodies to C. burnetii. Exposure to the pathogen in humans was determined by IFAT analysis of 1312 blood samples collected from patients admitted at healthcare centers with Q fever compatible symptoms, such as fever and/or pneumonia. Results showed that 15.9% of the patients had IFAT titers ≥ 1/128 suggestive of probable acute infection. This study is an example of a One Health approach with medical and veterinary institutions involved in investigating zoonotic diseasesThis work was funded by INIA—Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (RTA2017-00055-C02-02), the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), and PCTI 2018–2020 (GRUPIN: IDI2018-000237)S
International recommendations for an effective control of head louse infestations
Head louse infestations continue to be a concern of public health in most countries, including the most developed ones. The present recommendations are intended to inform and stress the role and impact of the different authorities, institutions, industry, and the public in the control of head lice in order to reduce the prevalence of this parasite. We encourage health authorities to pursue more effective methods to correctly identify such infestations, and evaluate existing and new pediculicides, medical devices, louse repellents, and louse- and nit-removal remedies. Pediculicides and medical devices must have verifiable claims in the instructions for use and should be tested periodically to document current levels of resistance by lice to the active ingredients and to the formulated products. Where the prevalence of lice is claimed to be epidemic, children should be periodically evaluated objectively to document the actual level of prevalence. Continuing education for health providers and the general population promises to correct misinformation regarding the biology, prevention, and management of lice. Parents should regularly inspect their children for head lice and treat as necessary. Health authorities are encouraged to eliminate policies and practices that rely upon school exclusion as a means to reduce incidence and prevalence, e.g., the ‘no-nit’ policy which lacks scientific justification, and are counterproductive to the health and welfare of childrenFil: Mumcuoglu, Kosta Y.. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; IsraelFil: Pollack, Richard J.. Harvard University; Estados UnidosFil: Reed, David L.. University Of Florida. Florida Museum Of History; Estados UnidosFil: Barker, Stephen C.. University of Queensland; AustraliaFil: Gordon, Shirley. Florida Atlantic University; Estados UnidosFil: Toloza, Ariel Ceferino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa. Centro de Investigación de Plagas e Insecticidas; ArgentinaFil: Picollo, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa. Centro de Investigación de Plagas e Insecticidas; ArgentinaFil: Taylan Ozkan, Aysegul. Hitit University; Turquía. Near East University; ChipreFil: Chosidow, Olivier. Hôpital Henri Mondor; FranciaFil: Habedank, Birgit. German Environment Agency; AlemaniaFil: Ibarra, Joanna. Community Hygiene Concern; Reino UnidoFil: Meinking, Terri L.. Global Health Associates of Miami; Estados UnidosFil: Vander Stichele, Robert H.. Heymans Institute of Pharmacology; Bélgic
Home parenteral nutrition registry in Spain for the year 2010: NADYA-SENPE group
Objetivos: Comunicar los datos del Registro del Grupo
NADYA SENPE de Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria
NPD en España del año 2010.
Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de la base de
datos del Registro de ámbito nacional de NPD del grupo
NADYA-SENPE (1 de enero de 2010 al 31 de diciembre de
2010). Para el cálculo de prevalencias se utilizó los últimos
datos publicados por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
Resultados: Se registraron 148 pacientes procedentes de
23 hospitales, 86 mujeres (58,11%) y 9 niños (6,08%). La
edad media de los 139 pacientes adultos fue de 53,06 ±
15,41 años. La duración media de la NPD fue de 316,97
días/paciente. El diagnóstico más frecuente en los niños
(menores de 14 años) fue intestino corto traumático con 5
casos (55,55%) y en los adultos la neoplasia en tratamiento
paliativo 29 (19,59%). El motivo de la indicación de la NPD
fue el síndrome de intestino corto en 74 ocasiones (47%).
La vía de acceso más frecuentemente registrada fue el catéter
tunelizado en 36 (22,78%) casos seguido del reservorio
en 13 (8,23%) y otras vías en 3 ocasiones (1,90%). Se registraron
23 infecciones relacionadas con el catéter (82,14%),
lo que representa 0,49/1000 días de NP y todas ellas ocurrieron
en los adultos. A lo largo del año finalizaron 24 episodios
de NPD, la causa más frecuente fue el paso a la vía
oral en 12 episodios (50%). Se registró que los pacientes
tenían una actividad normal en 70 episodios de NPD
(44,30%) con una total autonomía en 88 de episodios
(55,69%). Se identificaron 39 (24,68%) posibles candidatos
para trasplante intestinal.
Conclusiones: El número de pacientes registrados es
discretamente inferior al del año anterior, aunque el
número de hospitales participantes es el mismo. La complicación
más frecuente sigue siendo la infección relacionada
con el catéter aunque ha disminuido su incidencia
respecto a años anteriores, presentándose la tasa más
baja desde la creación del registro.
Las diferencias en la participación en el registro observadas
por Comunidades Autónomas lleva a plantear el
desarrollo de estrategias de implementación del registro.
Se observa un aumento progresivo de la duración de los
días de NPD a lo largo de los años que hace pensar en la
cronicidad de algunos pacientes, pero nos obliga a estudiar
la existencia de un posible factor de confusión, en el
caso de que existiera un olvido de cierre de algún episodio
por lo que se hace necesario actualizar el registro con sistemas
de alertas periódicas que faciliten la revisión de los
pacientes incluidos y optimice la validez del registroObjectives: To report the Group Registry NADYASENPE
data about home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in
Spain in 2010.
Material and methods: A descriptive study of the database
of the national registry of HPN of NADYA-SENPE
(December 10, 2009 to December 10, 2010). For the calculation
of prevalence the latest data published by the Institute
National Statistics Office (01/01/2009) was used.
Results: There were registered 148 patients from 23
hospitals, 86 women (58.11%) and 9 children (6.08%).
The average age of the 139 patients older than 14 years
was 53.06 ± 15.41 years. The average duration of HPN
was 316.97 days/patient. The most common diagnosis in
those younger than 14 years was short bowel traumatic
with 5 cases (55.55%) and in those older than 14 years,
palliative care cancer with 29 cases (19.59%). The reason
for the indication for HPN was short bowel syndrome in
74 cases (47%). The access via most frequently recorded
was tunneled catheter in 36 cases (22.78%) followed by
implanted port-catheters in 13 cases (8.23%) and other
pathways in 3 cases (1.90%). There were 23 catheterrelated
infections (82.14%) which represented 0.49 /1,000
days of PN, all of which occurred in cases older than 14
years. During the year 24 episodes of HPN ended, the
most frequent cause was the transition to oral nutrition in
12 episodes (50%). It was reported that patients had a
normal activity in 70 episodes of HPN (44.30%) with complete
autonomy in 88 episodes (55.69%). Some patients 39
(24.68%) were potential candidates for intestinal transplantation.
Conclusions: The number of registered patients is
slightly lower than the previous year, although the number
of participating hospitals is the same. The most frequent
complication remains catheter-related infection
but its incidence has decreased from previous years, presenting
the lowest rate since the creation of the record.
Differences in participation in the registry observed in
the Autonomous Communities causes the development of
implementation strategies. There is a gradual increase in
day length of HPN over the years, which suggests the
chronic treatments of some patients and obliges to study
the existence of a possible confounding factor, in case
there is an oversight of closing an episode. Therefore, it is
necessary to update the registry with warning systems
that facilitate periodic review of the patients and optimize
the validity of registratio
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