Telecommuting´s impact in management and communications variables: IT sector case

En este artículo vamos a profundizar en el análisis de las asociaciones existentes entre las diferentes modalidades de teletrabajo que se encuentran en el sector de TIC y las variables relacionadas con la dirección y comunicación. Por un lado, abundaremos en la forma en que se controla el rendimiento de los teletrabajadores, el momento en que se realiza el control y, en este punto, si son los mismos que se aplican a los no teletrabajadores. También, trataremos de conocer las diferencias respecto a la opinión de si la supervisión de los teletrabajadores requiere más tiempo que la de sus compañeros y al grado de autonomía de éstos para tomar decisiones. Por otro, puntualizaremos las posibles diferencias encontradas respecto a la influencia que tiene el teletrabajo sobre algunas de las variables de comunicación y sobre las opiniones relacionadas con la efectividad de las comunicaciones con los teletrabajadores, características de la dirección remota o el modo de entender la labor del supervisor.In this article we are going to deepen in the analysis of the existing associations between the different modalities from telecommuting in the sector of CIT and variables related to the direction and communication patterns. On the one hand, we will abound in the form at that controls the results of telecommuters, the moment in which the control is made and, in this point, if they are the same that they are applied to non-telecommuters. Also, we will try to know the differences with respect to the opinion of if the supervision of telecommuters requires more time than the one of colleagues and the degree of autonomy of them to make decisions. On the other hand, we will emphasize the possible differences found with respect to the influence that has telecommuting on some of the communication variables and the opinions related to the effectiveness of the communications with the teleworkers, characteristics of the remote direction or the way to understand the work of the supervisor

Inverse sampling and triangular sequential designs to compare a small proportion with a reference value

Inverse sampling and formal sequential designs may prove useful in reducing the sample size in studies where a small population proportion p is compared with a hypothesized reference proportion p0. These methods are applied to the design of a cytogenetic study about chromosomal abnormalities in men with a daughter affected by Turner's syndrome. First it is shown how the calculated sample size for a classical design depends on the parameterization used. Later this sample size is compared with the required sample size in an inverse sampling design and a triangular sequential design using four different parameterizations (absolute differences, log-odds ratio, angular transform and Sprott's transform). The expected savings in sample size, when the alternative hypothesis is true, are 20% of the fixed sample size for the inverse sampling design and 40% for the triangular sequential design

Inverse sampling and triangular sequential designs to compare a small proportion with a reference value

Inverse sampling and formal sequential designs may prove useful in reducing the sample size in studies where a small population proportion p is compared with a hypothesized reference proportion p0. These methods are applied to the design of a cytogenetic study about chromosomal abnormalities in men with a daughter affected by Turner's syndrome. First it is shown how the calculated sample size for a classical design depends on the parameterization used. Later this sample size is compared with the required sample size in an inverse sampling design and a triangular sequential design using four different parameterizations (absolute differences, log-odds ratio, angular transform and Sprott's transform). The expected savings in sample size, when the alternative hypothesis is true, are 20% of the fixed sample size for the inverse sampling design and 40% for the triangular sequential design

Performance Evaluation of Neural Networks for Animal Behaviors Classification: Horse Gaits Case Study

The study and monitoring of wildlife has always been a subject of great interest. Studying the behavior of wildlife animals is a very complex task due to the difficulties to track them and classify their behaviors through the collected sensory information. Novel technology allows designing low cost systems that facilitate these tasks. There are currently some commercial solutions to this problem; however, it is not possible to obtain a highly accurate classification due to the lack of gathered information. In this work, we propose an animal behavior recognition, classification and monitoring system based on a smart collar device provided with inertial sensors and a feed-forward neural network or Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) to classify the possible animal behavior based on the collected sensory information. Experimental results over horse gaits case study show that the recognition system achieves an accuracy of up to 95.6%.Junta de Andalucía P12-TIC-130

Audit of dental reports (II) : first Phase-II study in a Spanish Faculty of Dentistry

As a measure for correction of deficiencies registered through an audit of dental records in the Comprehensive Dentistry Clinic of the Dentistry Faculty of the University of Seville, we elaborated a new format for dental records which was used in 70 patients, carrying out a monitoring audit (Phase V) by applying the same quality criteria and criteria for data collection used in the initial audit (Phase III). We calculated the indices of fulfilment of 46 quality criteria, extending fulfilment percentage to 41 criteria, while statistically significant differences were found in 25 criteria. The standard prefixed as appropriate (75 %) was reached in 29 criteria (against the 12 criteria in which such standard was reached in the first dental audit). It is essential that faculties of dentistry develop systems for dental record revision which may help students achieve the competence of registering dental-care steps appropriately, teachers identify and give response to educational problems, and clinic administration prevent and correct conflicts, at the same time that they all ensure quality in service provision, ease relations with customers and protect users against legal vulnerability

Dental audit (I) : exact criteria of dental records; Results of a Phase-III study

Objective: Evaluating the quality of dental records in the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Seville (Spain). We attempted to collect and/or develop identifiable elements of dental care used to evaluate its appropriateness, as well as to measure its level of filling-in between 1999 and 2004 (Phase III of the record audit). Method: The 46 criteria used to evaluate dental care are shown, measuring ?in 50 dental records randomly chosen within a 5-year-time period? their level of filling-in (Phase III of a health audit). Results: A low level of filling-in was observed in all quality criteria defined. No record was found to be free from errors. A maximum of 36 criteria out of 46 was fulfilled (mean of 20.8). Conclusions: The standard of appropriate filling-in was only met in 12 criteria (75 %), the results being poor, due to the importance which clearly deficient aspects related to diagnosis and treatment plan have in the process of patient care. For such reason, we suggest a remedial action (Phase IV) developing a new model of dental record and its subsequent re-evaluation (Phase V), which will be subject to analysis in the second part of this paper

Role of age and sex in the diagnosis of early-stage malignant melanoma: A cross-sectional study

Age and sex have been identified as predictors of outcome in malignant melanoma (MM). The aim of this multicentre, cross-sectional study was to analyse the role of age and sex as explanatory variables for the diagnosis of thin MM. A total of 2,430 patients with MM were recruited. Cases of in situ (Tis) and T1 MM were more frequent than T2–T4 MM (56.26% vs. 43.74%). Breslow thickness increased throughout decades of life (analysis of variance (ANOVA) p < 0.001), with a weak correlation between Breslow thickness and patient's age (r = 0.202, p < 0.001). Breslow thickness was significantly less in women (1.79 vs. 2.38 mm, p = 0.0001). Binary logistic regression showed a significant (p < 0.001) odds ratio for age 0–29 years (1.18), and 30–59 years (1.16), and for women (1.09). Age and sex explained 3.64% of the variation observed in Tis–T1 frequency (R2 = 0.0364). Age and sex appear to explain a low percentage of the variation in the early detection of MM

Clinical and molecular study of the extracellular matrix protein 1 gene in a spanish family with lipoid proteinosis

[Background] Lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a hoarse voice, variable scarring, and infiltration of the skin and mucosa. This disease is associated with mutations of the gene encoding extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1). [Case Report]This was a clinical and molecular study of a new case of LP with a severe phenotype. A 35-year-old female born to nonconsanguineous parents developed dermatological and extracutaneous symptoms in her 9th month of life. The neurological abnormalities of the disease began to appear at the age of 19 years. Computed tomography revealed cranial calcifications. [Conclusions]The diagnosis of LP was confirmed by histopathological findings and direct sequencing of ECM1. A new homozygous nonsense mutation was identified in exon 7 of ECM1, c.1076G>A (p.Trp359*). This mutation was not detected in 106 chromosomes of healthy individuals with a similar demographic origin. Microsatellite markers around ECM1 were used to construct the haplotype in both the parents and the patient. Reports on genotype-phenotype correlations in LP point to a milder phenotype in carriers of missense mutations in the Ecm1a isoform, whereas mutations in the Ecm1b isoform are thought to be associated with more severe phenotypes. The present findings in a Spanish patient carrying a truncating mutation in exon 7 revealed complete dermatological and neurological manifestations. © 2014 Korean Neurological Association.The authors thank the patient and her family for their participation, and the financial support of grants from MICINN (no. SAF2007-60508) and Consejería de Ciencia Junta de Andalucía (no. CVI02790).Peer Reviewe

Benefits of Emergency Departments' Contribution to Stroke Prophylaxis in Atrial Fibrillation

Altres ajuts: The study was supported by a grant from Bayer Hispania, which had no influence on the content of the articleSupplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Long-term benefits of initiating stroke prophylaxis in the emergency department (ED) are unknown. We analyzed the long-term safety and benefits of ED prescription of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients. Prospective, multicenter, observational cohort of consecutive atrial fibrillation patients was performed in 62 Spanish EDs. Clinical variables and thromboprophylaxis prescribed at discharge were collected at inclusion. Follow-up at 1 year post-discharge included data about thromboprophylaxis and its complications, major bleeding, and death; risk was assessed with univariate and bivariate logistic regression models. We enrolled 1162 patients, 1024 (88.1%) at high risk according to CHADS-VASc score. At ED discharge, 935 patients (80.5%) were receiving anticoagulant therapy, de novo in 237 patients (55.2% of 429 not previously treated). At 1 year, 48 (4.1%) patients presented major bleeding events, and 151 (12.9%) had died. Anticoagulation first prescribed in the ED was not related to major bleeding (hazard ratio, 0.976; 95% confidence interval, 0.294-3.236) and was associated with a decrease in mortality (hazard ratio, 0.398; 95% confidence interval, 0.231-0.686). Adjusting by the main clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, concomitant antiplatelet treatment, or destination (discharge or admission) did not affect the results. Prescription of anticoagulation in the ED does not increase bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation patients at high risk of stroke and contributes to decreased mortality