Measuring the efficiency in spanish municipal refuse collection services

The objective of this study is to analyse the technical or productive efficiency of the refuse collection services in 75 municipalities located in the Spanish region of Catalonia. The analysis has been carried out using various techniques. Firstly we have calculated a deterministic parametric frontier, then a stochastic parametric frontier, and finally, various non-parametric approaches (DEA and FDH). Concerning the results, these naturally differ according to the technique used to approach the frontier. Nevertheless, they have an appearance of solidity, at least with regard to the ordinal concordance among the indices of efficiency obtained by the different approaches, as is demonstrated by the statistical tests used. Finally, we have attempted to search for any relation existing between efficiency and the method (public or private) of managing the services. No significant relation was found between the type of management and efficiency indices.efficiency, management, local public services

Análisis de las sentencias casatorias que emite la sala de derecho constitucional y social de la Corte Suprema del poder judicial respecto a la posible vulneración de los derechos fundamentales de los trabajadores con relación a los contratos típicos y atípicos, año 2017-2018

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene por finalidad, dar a conocer si la Sala de Derecho Constitucional y Social de la Corte Suprema de la República, viene aplicando correctamente las técnicas jurídicas establecidas para la calificación e interpretación de los contratos laborales, sean estos de naturaleza indeterminada o a plazo determinado conocidos en la doctrina como contratos laborales típicos y atípicos, y, si en la solución de las controversias en instancia casatoria se viene vulnerando o no los derechos fundamentales de los trabajadores, máxime si en el Perú gracias a la flexibilización laboral se anuló la estabilidad laboral absoluta, generando altos índices de desempleo producto de las diferentes modalidades de despido los mismos que en última instancia son resueltos por el Poder Judicial, siendo ésta institución tutelar la que debe sentar las bases doctrinarias para determinar el verdadero valor jurídico de los contratos de trabajo sujetos a modalidad. El enfoque cualitativo utilizado nos ha permitido manejar el método hermenéutico así como el estudio de caso para poder a través de las guía de observación analizar las ejecutorias emitidas por la Sala Suprema, donde se determinó que es relevante hacer una reforma a la ley procesal laboral a efectos de que la Sala Suprema, no sólo se limite a analizar el recurso de casación en cuanto se refiere a la aplicación de la norma, sino que también debe considerar un control previo, un control de tutela de derechos fundamentales en todas las instancias, sólo así se garantizará una protección adecuada a los derechos fundamentales de los trabajadores; y sobre todo generar una jurisprudencia clara que permita diferenciar la naturaleza jurídica existente entre los contratos sujetos a modalidad y cumplir de esta manera con el principio tuitivo propio del Derecho Laboral, reconocido por los tratados internacionales.The purpose of this research work is to make known if the Constitutional and Social Law Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Republic, has been correctly applying the legal techniques established for the qualification and interpretation of labor contracts, be they of an undetermined nature or for a specific term known in the doctrine as typical and atypical labor contracts, and, if the fundamental rights of workers are being violated or not in the settlement of disputes in marriage, especially if in Peru, thanks to labor flexibility, the absolute job stability, generating high unemployment rates as a result of the different forms of dismissal, which are ultimately resolved by the Judicial Power, this being the guardian institution that must lay the doctrinal bases to determine the true legal value of the contracts of work subject to modality. The qualitative approach used has allowed us to handle the hermeneutic method as well as the case study to be able, through the observation guides, to analyze the enforcement actions issued by the Supreme Court, where it was determined that it is relevant to make a reform of the labor procedural law to The effects of the Supreme Chamber not only limiting itself to analyzing the cassation appeal as regards the application of the norm, but must also consider a prior control, a control of protection of fundamental rights in all instances, only This will guarantee adequate protection of the fundamental rights of workers; and above all to generate a clear jurisprudence that allows differentiating the existing legal nature between the contracts subject to modality and thus comply with the protective principle of Labor Law, recognized by international treaties

Impact of two therapeutic interventions in patients with non-specific low back pain.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of two therapeutic interventions in patients with non-specific low back pain.Materials and methods: Prospective study, in which in 20 subjects from both genders assigned through consecutive sampling of the two interventions: Group 1: 10 sessions of conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) (Ultrasound, TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nervous Stimulation y HWC: Hot Wet Compresses) and Group 2: 10 sessions of Motor Control Exercises (MCE). A numerical Pain Scale (NPS) was applied before and after each intervention.Results: In the first group, it was found a 20% decrease the pain scores after 10 sessions compared with the baseline measurements (before the intervention) (p=0.03). Similarly, in the second group, pain score dimished 42% respect to baseline values at the end of the 10 therapeutic sessions (p = 0.03). When comparing the two interventions, the MCE were more effective than the CPT, even from the first treatment session (p <0.05).Discussion: a significant reduction of pain was found in both groups, although this reduction was significantly in the group treated with MCE

Salivary immunity and lower respiratory tract infections in non-elite marathon runners

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Decision-making practices during coaching sessions in grassroots youth soccer: A mixed-methods investigation

Introduction Decision making ability in players during match-play is mostly acquired through practice activities with the same underlying structure as competition (e.g., [1]). However, researchers have not fully investigated how coaches design practice sessions at the participation level of the sport (i.e., “grassroots”) or of why they used a particular activity at a specific time point. The aim of this study was to investigate the practice activities used by youth soccer coaches working at participation level in the UK and gain insight into their intentions. Methods Altogether, 12 male soccer coaches participated working with players aged 9-11 years within 10 clubs at the participation level of soccer in London, UK. A total of 35 practice sessions were observed in situ. Sessions were analysed for the proportion of time spent in activities containing ‘non-active decision-making’ (e.g., unopposed technical skills practices, fitness training) and ‘active decision-making’ (e.g., small-sided games, skills practice with opposition). An interview with the coaches about the session purpose took place after each systematic observation. Results Coaches had players spend similar amounts of time in activities with active decision-making (M = 41%) and non-active decision-making (M = 42%) with the remainder spent transitioning between activities (M = 17%). There was more non-active decision-making activity during the first half of the session (M = 64%) when compared to active decision-making activity (M = 16%). However, there was more active decision-making activity in the second half (M = 66%) when compared to non-active (M = 20%). Therefore, the session progressed in a traditional manner from predominately non-active decision-making activity early on to mostly active decision-making activity later. Interviews revealed that the coaches believe players require frequent isolated (unopposed) ‘non-active decision-making’ practices to acquire technique initially in the session and during the season. Conclusion Our findings show that coaches had players spend nearly half of session time in non-active decision-making activities that are deemed less relevant to improving soccer match performance. Findings highlight a potential gap between science and practice in the coaching of young participation level soccer players. References [1] Roca A, Ford PR (2020). Sci Med Footb. 4, 263-268

Benefit with preventive noninvasive ventilation in subgroups of patients at high-risk for reintubation: a post hoc analysis.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was shown to be non-inferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for preventing reintubation in a general population of high-risk patients. However, some subgroups of high-risk patients might benefit more from NIV. We aimed to determine whether the presence of many risk factors or overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2) patients could have different response to any preventive therapy, NIV or HFNC in terms of reduced reintubation rate. Methods: Not pre-specified post hoc analysis of a multicentre, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial comparing NFNC and NIV to prevent reintubation in patients at risk for reintubation. The original study included patients with at least 1 risk factor for reintubation. Results: Among 604 included in the original study, 148 had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. When adjusting for potential covariates, patients with ≥ 4 risk factors (208 patients) presented a higher risk for reintubation (OR 3.4 [95%CI 2.16–5.35]). Patients with ≥ 4 risk factors presented lower reintubation rates when treated with preventive NIV (23.9% vs 45.7%; P = 0.001). The multivariate analysis of overweight patients, adjusted for covariates, did not present a higher risk for reintubation (OR 1.37 [95%CI 0.82–2.29]). However, those overweight patients presented an increased risk for reintubation when treated with preventive HFNC (OR 2.47 [95%CI 1.18–5.15]). Conclusions: Patients with ≥ 4 risk factors for reintubation may benefit more from preventive NIV. Based on this result, HFNC may not be the optimal preventive therapy in overweight patients. Specific trials are needed to confirm these results.post-print916 K

Effect of postextubation noninvasive ventilation with active humidification vs high‑flow nasal cannula on reintubation in patients at very high risk for extubation failure: a randomized trial.

Purpose High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy was noninferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for preventing reintubation in a heterogeneous population at high-risk for extubation failure. However, outcomes might differ in certain subgroups of patients. Thus, we aimed to determine whether NIV with active humidification is superior to HFNC in preventing reintubation in patients with ≥ 4 risk factors (very high risk for extubation failure). Methods Randomized controlled trial in two intensive care units in Spain (June 2020‒June 2021). Patients ready for planned extubation with ≥ 4 of the following risk factors for reintubation were included: age > 65 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score > 12 on extubation day, body mass index > 30, inadequate secretions management, difficult or prolonged weaning, ≥ 2 comorbidities, acute heart failure indicating mechanical ventilation, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, airway patency problems, prolonged mechanical ventilation, or hypercapnia on finishing the spontaneous breathing trial. Patients were randomized to undergo NIV with active humidification or HFNC for 48 h after extubation. The primary outcome was reintubation rate within 7 days after extubation. Secondary outcomes included postextubation respiratory failure, respiratory infection, sepsis, multiorgan failure, length of stay, mortality, adverse events, and time to reintubation. Results Of 182 patients (mean age, 60 [standard deviation (SD), 15] years; 117 [64%] men), 92 received NIV and 90 HFNC. Reintubation was required in 21 (23.3%) patients receiving NIV vs 35 (38.8%) of those receiving HFNC (difference −15.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) −28.3 to −1%). Hospital length of stay was lower in those patients treated with NIV (20 [12‒36.7] days vs 26.5 [15‒45] days, difference 6.5 [95%CI 0.5–21.1]). No additional differences in the other secondary outcomes were observed. Conclusions Among adult critically ill patients at very high-risk for extubation failure, NIV with active humidification was superior to HFNC for preventing reintubation.post-print1227 K

Detection of solar-like oscillations from Kepler photometry of the open cluster NGC 6819

Asteroseismology of stars in clusters has been a long-sought goal because the assumption of a common age, distance and initial chemical composition allows strong tests of the theory of stellar evolution. We report results from the first 34 days of science data from the Kepler Mission for the open cluster NGC 6819 -- one of four clusters in the field of view. We obtain the first clear detections of solar-like oscillations in the cluster red giants and are able to measure the large frequency separation and the frequency of maximum oscillation power. We find that the asteroseismic parameters allow us to test cluster-membership of the stars, and even with the limited seismic data in hand, we can already identify four possible non-members despite their having a better than 80% membership probability from radial velocity measurements. We are also able to determine the oscillation amplitudes for stars that span about two orders of magnitude in luminosity and find good agreement with the prediction that oscillation amplitudes scale as the luminosity to the power of 0.7. These early results demonstrate the unique potential of asteroseismology of the stellar clusters observed by Kepler.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted by ApJ (Lett.