Search results for " Effectiveness"
showing 10 items of 263 documents
Monte Carlo calculation of beam quality correction factors for PTW cylindrical ionization chambers in photon beams.
2020
The beam quality correction factor k Q for megavoltage photon beams has been calculated for eight PTW (Freiburg, Germany) ionization chambers (Farmer chambers PTW30010, PTW30011, PTW30012, and PTW30013, Semiflex 3D chambers PTW31021, PTW31010, and PTW31013, and the PinPoint 3D chamber PTW31016). Simulations performed on the widely used NE-2571 ionization chamber have been used to benchmark the results. The Monte Carlo code PENELOPE/penEasy was used to calculate the absorbed dose to a point in water and the absorbed dose to the active air volume of the chambers for photon beams in the range 4 to 24 MV. Of the nine ionization chambers analysed, only five are included in the current version of…
Technical note: Monte Carlo derivation of TG-43 dosimetric parameters for radiation therapy resources and 3M Cs-137 sources
2005
In clinical brachytherapy dosimetry, a detailed dose rate distribution of the radioactive source in water is needed in order to plan for quality treatment. Two Cs-137 sources are considered in this study; the Radiation Therapy Resources 67-800 source (Radiation Therapy Resources Inc., Valencia, CA) and the 3M model 6500/6D6C source. A complete dosimetric dataset for both sources has been obtained by means of the Monte Carlo GEANT4 code. Dose rate distributions are presented in two different ways; following the TG43 formalism and in a 2D rectangular dose rate table. This 2D dose rate table is helpful for the TPS quality control and is fully consistent with the TG43 dose calculation formalism…
Evaluation of dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicinal systems on plaque formation and gingivitis: A randomized controlled clinical tri…
2019
Background Bio-film formation is a natural process in the oral environment, but needs to be controlled through regular brushing in order to prevent the development of caries and periodontal diseases. Material and Methods A wide variety of dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicinal systems are available in the market which claims superior plaque control. A randomized controlled double-blinded concurrent parallel clinical trial was conducted with the objective to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness of three commercially available dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicine systems with that of a placebo dentifrice on Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) …
Cost-effectiveness of psychotropic polypharmacy in routine schizophrenia care. Results of the ELAN prospective observational trial
2018
Abstract Aims To analyse the costs and cost-effectiveness of psychotropic polypharmacy in comparison to antipsychotic monotherapy in patients with schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder under real-world treatment conditions. Methods A prospective observational study including 374 adult psychiatric in-patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder was conducted. Psychotropic regimen, clinical outcomes, and quality of life were assessed before discharge and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Costs and outcomes of psychotropic polypharmacy in comparison to antipsychotic monotherapy were analysed by means of mixed-effects regression models adjusted for propensity scores. Net-benefit…
Validation of a Modified Version of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ12) in Spain
2018
Background : Previous studies have found some limitations and inconsistencies in the functioning of the short Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ12), suggesting the need to improve it. The objective of the current study is to validate a modified version of the PCQ12 in Spain. Method : The sample consists of 792 employees from 42 Spanish organizations. A cross-validation was carried out to test the factorial validity of the modified scale. Reliability and convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity were also tested. Results : The modified PCQ12 showed good psychometric qualities. A four-factor structure showed a better fit to the data than the original second-order structure. Conc…
The European Green Deal: New Challenges for the Economic Feasibility of Energy Retrofit at District Scale
2020
The European Green Deal proposes an epochal change in the European society by transforming environmental and climatic problems into opportunities and making sustainable and fair the European Union economic system. Radical changes will also concern urban redevelopment and energy efficiency measures in order to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve these objectives, rules and standards, as well as financial resources and assessment tools, are needed to support both urban planning and public decision process. This paper aims to analyze the existing European programs that are applied in some European smart cities, as they constitute a valuable source of information for the developm…
Considerations on prospects for increasing the effectiveness of organizational management
2019
In order to remain competitive in the current market, organizations must change. There are several ways to accomplish changes by adapting to the market, and one of the most effective tools is adopting an efficient management and performance strategy. The process appears to be a managerial overview of interventions through which a manager provides, organizes, coordinates, and controls the decisions of their employees, for the attainment of unity in terms of economic profitability and social utility.
Comment concilier efficacité et équité dans les systèmes éducatifs des pays en développement?
2005
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The whole story: treatment outcomes with SymbicortS
2002
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that has a considerable socioeconomic impact. Asthma management guidelines have been introduced to help provide better long-term control of asthma. Although recommended guidelines may increase the direct medication costs, the overall direct costs of asthma may be reduced due to fewer exacerbations. In addition, indirect costs due to lost productivity and mortality are reduced and patients have an improved quality of life. Inhaled corticosteroids are first-line therapy in the treatment of persistent asthma. Against this background, we have assessed the cost-effectiveness of Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol in a single inhaler), a t…
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Different Testing Strategies that Use Antibody Levels to Detect Chronic Hepatitis C in Blood Donors.
2016
Aim. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of seven hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing strategies in blood donors. Methods. Three of the seven strategies were based on HCV diagnosis and reporting guidelines in Mexico and four were from previous and current recommendations outlined by the CDC. The strategies that were evaluated determine antibody levels according to the signal-to-cut-off (S/CO) ratio and use reflex Immunoblot (IMB) or HCV RNA tests to confirm true positive (TP) cases of chronic HCV infection. Costs were calculated from the perspective of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). A decision tree model was developed to estimate the expected number of true positive cas…