Search results for "UTILITY"
showing 10 items of 116 documents
Analysis of some renewable energy uses and demand side measures for hotels on small Mediterranean islands: A case study
2018
Abstract Tourist activity strongly influences the energy consumption and the overall load profile of communities with isolated energy systems. One example is hotel sectors on small islands that are not connected to mainland energy distribution grids. The use of solar energy systems could be a smart option for reducing energy consumption and tackling seasonal fluctuation. The operation of a weak and isolated electric grid requires attention to the management of power profiles in very short time frames. Energy storage (thermal or electric), as well as building automation control technologies, can be utilised for these aims. In this context, the present paper illustrates a study conducted at a…
Protein misfolding, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and guanabenz: Protocol for a phase II RCT with futility design (ProMISe trial)
2017
IntroductionRecent studies suggest that endoplasmic reticulum stress may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through an altered regulation of the proteostasis, the cellular pathway-balancing protein synthesis and degradation. A key mechanism is thought to be the dephosphorylation of eIF2α, a factor involved in the initiation of protein translation. Guanabenz is an alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist safely used in past to treat mild hypertension and is now an orphan drug. A pharmacological action recently discovered is its ability to modulate the synthesis of proteins by the activation of translational factors preventing misfolded protein accumula…
Assessing the costs and cost-effectiveness of ICare internet-based interventions (protocol)
2019
Background: Mental health problems are common and place a burden on the individual as well as on societal resources. Despite the existence of evidence-based treatments, access to treatment is often prevented or delayed due to insufficient health care resources. Effective internet-based self-help interventions have the potential to reduce the risk for mental health problems, to successfully bridge waiting time for face-to-face treatment and to address inequities in access. However, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of such interventions. This paper describes the study protocol for the economic evaluation of the studies that form the ICare programme of internet-based interventions …
Cost-Utility Analysis Applied to the Treatment of Burn Patients in a Specialized Center
2007
Objective To discover the total costs and quality of life of burn patients in a specialist center classified by diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). Design Prospective study of 5-year follow-up from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2001. Setting Burn Center of Valencia. Patients A total of 898 patients treated at the Burn Center of Valencia. Main Outcome Measures Hospital, extrahospital, caregiving, labor, and social costs of the burn patients grouped by DRG (code 457: extensive burns without operating room procedure; code 458: nonextensive burns with skin graft; code 459: nonextensive burns with wound debridement or other operating room procedure; code 460: nonextensive burns without oper…
OCT is not useful for detection of minimal diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes.
2009
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been proven useful in measuring retinal thickness (RT) in patients with diabetes, although with discordant results in different studies. We examined RT in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with or without minimal diabetic retinopathy (MDR) to test whether OCT is able to identify early retinal changes and potential correlations with metabolic parameters. RT of 102 patients with T1D (53 females, 49 males, aged 27.03 +/- 7.4 years) and of 42 healthy controls was examined, with analysis of nine different sectors (fovea, four pericentral and four peripheral sectors). According to the results of basal fundus photography, patients were divided into two grou…
Changes in Health Utility, Disability, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients After Spinal Fusion
2014
STUDY DESIGN Prospective longitudinal database study. OBJECTIVE To evaluate changes in health utility, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing spinal fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Recently, measuring disability, HRQOL, and health utility has become important when defining the value of surgical interventions. METHODS Data of spinal fusion patients from a prospective longitudinal database were analyzed. Health utility was captured by SF-6D (six dimensional health state classification from the 36-dimensional Short Form Health Survey) score, disability by Oswestry Disability Index, and HRQOL by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. The changes in these…
Socio-economic cost and health-related quality of life of burn victims in Spain
2008
Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the economic burden (direct and indirect costs) of burn victims and the impact of burn on health-related quality of life in Spain. Methods In 2003, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 898 burned people. Data regarding demographic features, health resource use, informal care, indirect costs and quality of life were prospectively collected through hospital admission databases and questionnaires filled out by burn victims and caregivers. Results The mean annual cost (direct and indirect) per burn patient was US$ 99,773. The most important categories of costs were those of in-patient care and temporary and permanent disability. …
The relationship between demographic- and disease-related variables and health-related quality of life in patients with axial spondyloarthritis
2017
Background Axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine causing pain, stiffness, loss in physical function, and fatigue. Therefore, the physical and psychological burden of having this chronic disease can reduce the quality of life. We aimed to explore the relationship between demographic- and disease-related variables and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with ax-SpA. Methods Demographic- and disease-related, HRQoL-related and treatment data were collected. Disease measures included the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the BAS Functional Index (BASFI), the BAS Global (BAS-G) score, the Maastricht Ankylosing Spo…
Do Overoptimistic Men Drive Creative Destruction? Evidence of Gendered Inventive Activity in Finland
2017
This study extends the analysis of the "patenting gender gap" into design rights and utility model (UMs), which are alternative methods for protecting intellectual property (IP). The analysis is descriptive and uses registry data from the Finnish patent and registration office (PRH) covering the years 1982–2013. A persistent gender gap is found for all intellectual property rights (IPRs): women are inventors and designers only in a small share of filings. The gap has narrowed over time for national patent and design right filings but not for UM filings. It is found that, in comparison to men, women are relatively less often individual inventors or designers and more often members of invento…
Car sharing demand estimation and urban transport demand modelling using stated preference techniques
2008
The research deals with the use of the stated preference technique (SP) and transport demand modelling to analyse travel mode choice behaviour for commuting urban trips in Palermo, Italy. The principal aim of the study was the calibration of a demand model to forecast the modal split of the urban transport demand, allowing for the possibility of using innovative transport systems like car sharing and car pooling. In order to estimate the demand model parameters, a specific survey was carried out inside the urban area of Palermo. The survey focused on the morning rush hour and involved mainly employees, self-employed workers and students (about 500 respondents) whose final destination was lo…