712 research outputs found

    The Impact of Hospital Costing Methods on Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: A Case Study

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    Background: Several methods exist to cost hospital contacts when estimating the cost effectiveness of a new intervention. However, the implications of choosing a particular approach remain unclear. We compare the use of the three main diagnosis-related group (DRG)-based national unit costs in England to determine whether choice of approach can impact on economic evaluation results. Methods: A cost-utility model was developed to compare secondary fracture prevention models of care for hip fracture patients, using data from large primary and hospital care administrative datasets in England. A healthcare and personal social services payer perspective was adopted, and utilities were informed by a meta-regression. Hospital resource use was valued using three DRG-based unit costs, and regression-based costing models were developed using data from 13,906 patients to inform the model health states. Results: Finished consultant episode (FCE)-level reference costs resulted in the highest costs on admission (£9075) and in the year of the fracture (£14,440). Relative to FCE-level costs, spell-level tariffs led to the lowest total hospital care costs per patient within 1 year of fracture (− £3691) compared with spell-level reference costs (− £2106). At a £20,000/quality-adjusted life-year threshold, using spell-level reference costs or spell-level tariffs, the introduction of a nurse-led fracture liaison service model of care was the cost-effective alternative. However, using FCE-level reference costs, usual care was the cost-effective option. Conclusions: Our results show that, conditional on the set of national unit costs adopted, the costs of hip fracture may vary considerably and different decisions may be reached regarding the introduction of new healthcare interventions

    An algebraic proof of Bogomolov-Tian-Todorov theorem

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    We give a completely algebraic proof of the Bogomolov-Tian-Todorov theorem. More precisely, we shall prove that if X is a smooth projective variety with trivial canonical bundle defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0, then the L-infinity algebra governing infinitesimal deformations of X is quasi-isomorphic to an abelian differential graded Lie algebra.Comment: 20 pages, amspro

    An all-glass microfluidic network with integrated amorphous silicon photosensors for on-chip monitoring of enzymatic biochemical assay

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    A lab-on-chip system, integrating an all-glass microfluidics and on-chip optical detection, was developed and tested. The microfluidic network is etched in a glass substrate, which is then sealed with a glass cover by direct bonding. Thin film amorphous silicon photosensors have been fabricated on the sealed microfluidic substrate preventing the contamination of the micro-channels. The microfluidic network is then made accessible by opening inlets and outlets just prior to the use, ensuring the sterility of the device. The entire fabrication process relies on conventional photolithographic microfabrication techniques and is suitable for low-cost mass production of the device. The lab-on-chip system has been tested by implementing a chemiluminescent biochemical reaction. The inner channel walls of the microfluidic network are chemically functionalized with a layer of polymer brushes and horseradish peroxidase is immobilized into the coated channel. The results demonstrate the successful on-chip detection of hydrogen peroxide down to 18 mu M by using luminol and 4-iodophenol as enhancer agent

    A simply connected surface of general type with p_g=0 and K^2=2

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    In this paper we construct a simply connected, minimal, complex surface of general type with p_g=0 and K^2=2 using a rational blow-down surgery and Q-Gorenstein smoothing theory.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures. To appear in Inventiones Mathematica

    Successful transition to elementary school and the implementation of facilitative practices specified in the Reggio-Emilia philosophy

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    Systematic, mandated facilitation of school transitions is an important but understudied aspect of the Reggio-Emilia approach to early childhood education admired internationally as best practice. We studied the links between Northern Italian transition practices and academic achievement, school liking, cooperativeness, and problem behaviors. We followed 288 students across a transition from preschool to elementary school. Schools varied in their implementation of transition practices. High implementation of Reggio-type transition practices was related to significantly more school liking and significantly fewer problem behaviors after the transition. At follow-up at the end of the post-transition year, high-implementation schools were still characterized by lower levels of problem behavior. These data indicate that the facilitation of school transitions in the Reggio-Emilia tradition is associated with successful post-transition adjustment

    Fowl typhoid in Argentine Republic

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    Luego de un brote de Tifosis en un criadero con 100.000 aves en producción a jaula (50% Leghorn y 50% AA-Harco), un 8,38% de positivos (Harco) a la prueba de aglutinación rápida, son trasladados a tinglado individual y alojados igualmente en jaula. Luego de 50 coprocultivos negativos, los animales son reanalizados con la misma prueba 30~60-90 y 120 días después, comprobándose que dichos positivos disminuían del 100 al 32%, no habiéndose constatado en todo ese tiempo, diferencia con su lote similar. Transcurrido ese período, 30 animales son descargados con cepa virulenta, comprobándose que sólo el 1% muere por Tifosis, frente al lote testigo donde los insucesos son del 50% Estos hechos son analizados estadísticamente entendiendo que la prueba de aglutinación no debe aplicarse con el mismo criterio que para la pullorosis ya que, según los resultados, muestra un valor muy relativo. Se efectúan paralelamente, consideraciones inmunológicas sobre la posible importancia de la lg A en los mecanismos de defensa de las aves.After a Typhoid outbreak in a farm with 100.000 birds in production in cages (50% Leghorn and 50% AA-Harco), 8,38% of positive reactors to the quick agglutination test (Harco) were transferred to an individual house also in cages. After 50 negative coprocultures, the birds are again assayed by the same test 30-60-90 and 120 days after, finding that said positives decreased from 100 to 32%. No difference was noted during that period with the similar lot. After that time, 30 birds are challenged with a virulent strain and only 1% die of Typhoid; as compared with the control group where mortality was 50%. These facts are statistically analyzed finding that the agglutination test should not be used with the same criteria as for pullorum, since, according to the findings, its value is quite relative. At the same time, immunological considerations were effected on the possible importance of Ig G and Ig A in the defense mechanisms of birds against infections caused by enterobacteria.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

    Fowl typhoid in Argentine Republic

    Get PDF
    Luego de un brote de Tifosis en un criadero con 100.000 aves en producción a jaula (50% Leghorn y 50% AA-Harco), un 8,38% de positivos (Harco) a la prueba de aglutinación rápida, son trasladados a tinglado individual y alojados igualmente en jaula. Luego de 50 coprocultivos negativos, los animales son reanalizados con la misma prueba 30~60-90 y 120 días después, comprobándose que dichos positivos disminuían del 100 al 32%, no habiéndose constatado en todo ese tiempo, diferencia con su lote similar. Transcurrido ese período, 30 animales son descargados con cepa virulenta, comprobándose que sólo el 1% muere por Tifosis, frente al lote testigo donde los insucesos son del 50% Estos hechos son analizados estadísticamente entendiendo que la prueba de aglutinación no debe aplicarse con el mismo criterio que para la pullorosis ya que, según los resultados, muestra un valor muy relativo. Se efectúan paralelamente, consideraciones inmunológicas sobre la posible importancia de la lg A en los mecanismos de defensa de las aves.After a Typhoid outbreak in a farm with 100.000 birds in production in cages (50% Leghorn and 50% AA-Harco), 8,38% of positive reactors to the quick agglutination test (Harco) were transferred to an individual house also in cages. After 50 negative coprocultures, the birds are again assayed by the same test 30-60-90 and 120 days after, finding that said positives decreased from 100 to 32%. No difference was noted during that period with the similar lot. After that time, 30 birds are challenged with a virulent strain and only 1% die of Typhoid; as compared with the control group where mortality was 50%. These facts are statistically analyzed finding that the agglutination test should not be used with the same criteria as for pullorum, since, according to the findings, its value is quite relative. At the same time, immunological considerations were effected on the possible importance of Ig G and Ig A in the defense mechanisms of birds against infections caused by enterobacteria.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

    Del Pezzo surfaces with 1/3(1,1) points

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    We classify del Pezzo surfaces with 1/3(1,1) points in 29 qG-deformation families grouped into six unprojection cascades (this overlaps with work of Fujita and Yasutake), we tabulate their biregular invariants, we give good model constructions for surfaces in all families as degeneracy loci in rep quotient varieties and we prove that precisely 26 families admit qG-degenerations to toric surfaces. This work is part of a program to study mirror symmetry for orbifold del Pezzo surfaces.Comment: 42 pages. v2: model construction added of last remaining surface, minor corrections, minor changes to presentation, references adde
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