Network-Oblivious Algorithms

A framework is proposed for the design and analysis of network-oblivious algorithms, namely algorithms that can run unchanged, yet efficiently, on a variety of machines characterized by different degrees of parallelism and communication capabilities. The framework prescribes that a network-oblivious algorithm be specified on a parallel model of computation where the only parameter is the problem\u2019s input size, and then evaluated on a model with two parameters, capturing parallelism granularity and communication latency. It is shown that for a wide class of network-oblivious algorithms, optimality in the latter model implies optimality in the decomposable bulk synchronous parallel model, which is known to effectively describe a wide and significant class of parallel platforms. The proposed framework can be regarded as an attempt to port the notion of obliviousness, well established in the context of cache hierarchies, to the realm of parallel computation. Its effectiveness is illustrated by providing optimal network-oblivious algorithms for a number of key problems. Some limitations of the oblivious approach are also discussed

Elderly and Children Are Not The Only Victims of Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in Italy (A National Media-Based Survey)

Choking is a relevant public health problem. Data in medical literature are scarce and fatal events are dramatically under-reported.The aim of this manuscript is to give a real estimation of this problem and to raise awareness about this topic.Materials and methods. All deaths caused by choking reported by Italian Mass Media over a two years period were collected. Suspected sudden infant death syndrome was an exclusion criteria.Results. 76 deaths due to foreign body airway obstruction were identified, 51% during 2018 and 49% in 2019, without identifiable time clusters. Choking affected every age, including pre-scholar children (25%), children 6 to 18 years old (3%), adults (38%), and elderly patients (34%). Witnessed cases were 61 (80%) but in almost half 26 cases (42%) the fatal event occurred before or without first aid maneuvers being performed.Conclusion. On the Italian territory, during a 2 years period, three cases per month of fatal choking due to foreign-body airway obstruction occurred, many of them in adult patients (38%). Italian people seem not to be educated to provide first aid in these settings

Пожилые люди и дети — не единственные жертвы обструкции дыхательных путей инородными предметами в Италии (Национальное исследование на основе анализа СМИ)

Choking is a relevant public health problem. Data in medical literature are scarce and fatal events are dramatically under-reported.The aim of this manuscript is to give a real estimation of this problem and to raise awareness about this topic.Materials and methods. All deaths caused by choking reported by Italian Mass Media over a two years period were collected. Suspected sudden infant death syndrome was an exclusion criteria.Results. 76 deaths due to foreign body airway obstruction were identified, 51% during 2018 and 49% in 2019, without identifiable time clusters. Choking affected every age, including pre-scholar children (25%), children 6 to 18 years old (3%), adults (38%), and elderly patients (34%). Witnessed cases were 61 (80%) but in almost half 26 cases (42%) the fatal event occurred before or without first aid maneuvers being performed.Conclusion. On the Italian territory, during a 2 years period, three cases per month of fatal choking due to foreign-body airway obstruction occurred, many of them in adult patients (38%). Italian people seem not to be educated to provide first aid in these settings.Асфиксия (удушье) является серьезной проблемой общественного здравоохранения. Данные медицинской литературы по этой проблеме скудны, а сообщения о смертельных исходах резко занижены.Цель публикации — оценить реальную частоту асфиксии и повысить осведомленность о ней.Материалы и методы. Собрали все случаи смерти от асфиксии, о которых итальянские СМИ сообщали в течение двух лет. Критерием исключения было подозрение на синдром внезапной детской смерти.Результаты. Выявили 76 смертей вследствие обструкции дыхательных путей инородным телом — 51% в 2018 году и 49% в 2019 году ото всех случаев асфиксии, без каких-либо определенных временных предпочтений по накоплению случаев в течение года. Асфиксию наблюдали среди лиц всех возрастов, включая детей дошкольного возраста (25%), детей от 6 до 18 лет (3%), взрослых (38%) и пожилых пациентов (34%). В присутствии свидетелей произошел 61 случай (80%), при этом почти в половине смертельных случаев (26, что составило 42%) смерть наступила до или без проведения мероприятий по оказанию первой помощи.Заключение. На территории Италии в течение двух лет ежемесячно происходило по три случая смертельной асфиксии вследствие обструкции дыхательных путей посторонними предметами, много случаев обнаружено в когорте пациентов зрелого возраста (38%). Такие данные СМИ свидетельствуют о том, что население Италии не обучено оказывать первую помощь, необходимую в таких случаях

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: A systematic review

Introduction: In addition to the directly attributed mortality, COVID-19 is also likely to increase mortality indirectly. In this systematic review, we investigate the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Methods: We searched PubMed, BioMedCentral, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies comparing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring during the pandemic and a non-pandemic period. Risk of bias was assessed with the ROBINS-I tool. The primary endpoint was return of spontaneous circulation. Secondary endpoints were bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation, survival to hospital discharge, and survival with favourable neurological outcome. Results: We identified six studies. In two studies, rates of return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge decreased significantly during the pandemic. Especially in Europe, bystander-witnessed cases, bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and resuscitation attempted by emergency medical services were reduced during the pandemic. Also, ambulance response times were significantly delayed across all studies and patients presenting with non-shockable rhythms increased in two studies. In 2020, 3.9–5.9% of tested patients were SARS-CoV-2 positive and 4.8–26% had suggestive symptoms (fever and cough or dyspnoea). Conclusions: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests had worse short-term outcomes during the pandemic than a non-pandemic period suggesting direct effects of COVID-19 infection and indirect effects from lockdown and disruption of healthcare systems. Patients at high risk of deterioration should be identified outside the hospital to promptly initiate treatment and reduce fatalities. Study registration PROSPERO CRD42020195794. © 2020 Elsevier B.V

Enhancing citizens response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review of mobile-phone systems to alert citizens as first responders

Introduction: Involving laypersons in response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest through mobile-phone technology is becoming widespread in numerous countries, and different solutions were developed. We performed a systematic review on the impact of alerting citizens as first responders and to provide an overview of different strategies and technologies used. Methods: We searched electronic databases up to October 2019. Eligible studies described systems to alert citizens first responders to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest through text messages or apps. We analyzed the implementation and performance of these systems and their impact on patients\u2019 outcomes. Results: We included 28 manuscripts describing 12 different systems. The first text message system was implemented in 2006 and the first app in 2010. First responders accepted to intervene in median (interquartile) 28.7% (27\u201329%) of alerts and reached the scene after 4.6 (4.4\u20135.5) minutes for performing CPR. First responders arrived before ambulance, started CPR and attached a defibrillator in 47% (34\u201358%), 24% (23\u201327%) and 9% (6\u201314%) of cases, respectively. Pooled analysis showed that first responders activation increased layperson-CPR rates (1463/2292 [63.8%] in the intervention group vs. 1094/1989 [55.0%] in the control group; OR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.11\u20132.60; p = 0.01) and survival to hospital discharge or at 30 days (327/2273 [14.4%] vs. 184/1955 [9.4%]; OR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.24\u20131.84; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Alerting citizens as first responders in case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest may reduce the intervention-free time and improve patients\u2019 outcomes

Non-Invasive Ventilation in the Prehospital Emergency Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Noninvasive ventilation is a well-established treatment for acute respiratory failure, being increasingly applied in the prehospital setting. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate whether early prehospital initiation of noninvasive ventilation reduces mortality compared to standard oxygen therapy. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to February 7th, 2022, for studies comparing prehospital noninvasive ventilation performed by emergency medical services versus standard oxygen therapy in patients with acute respiratory failure. The primary outcome was mortality at the longest follow-up available. Results: We included ten randomized studies and two quasi-randomized studies for a total of 1485 patients. Prehospital treatment with noninvasive ventilation compared with standard oxygen therapy did not significantly reduce mortality at the longest follow-up available (107/810 [13%] vs 114/772 [15%]; RR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.70–1.13; P = 0.34; I2=24%). The endotracheal intubation rate was reduced when receiving prehospital noninvasive ventilation (38/776 [4.9%] vs 81/743 [11%]; RR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31–0.63; P < 0.001; I2=0%; number needed to treat 17). The intensive care admission rate (114/532 [21%] vs 129/507 [25%]; RR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.69–1.04; P = 0.11; I2=0%) and length of hospital stay (mean difference=-1.29 days; 95% CI, −3.35–0.77; P = 0.21; I2=82%) were similar between groups. Conclusions: Adults with acute respiratory failure treated in the prehospital setting with noninvasive ventilation had a lower risk of intubation than those managed with standard oxygen therapy, with similar risk of death, intensive care admission, and length of hospital stay. Review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021284947