scholarly journals Electricity Prices and Consumer Behavior, Case Study Serbia—Randomized Control Trials Method

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 591
Author(s):  
Iztok Podbregar ◽  
Sanja Filipović ◽  
Mirjana Radovanović ◽  
Olga Mirković Isaeva ◽  
Polona Šprajc

The aim of this research was to identify energy saving instructions effect on household’s electricity consumption. The research was conducted using Randomized Control Trials, which implied defining a treatment and control group on a sample of 330 households. The research was carried out in Republic of Serbia, where electricity prices are the lowest in Europe and electricity is used inefficiently. For quantitative analysis of data, the Difference in Difference method was used, which compares the changes in electricity consumption over time between the treatment and control group and estimates the overall impact of the energy saving instructions. The research showed that in situations where electricity price is very low, energy saving information does not have the significant impact on change in consumer behavior. However, inefficient use of electricity might be due to the different efficiency of heating devices used. Not only that the low impact of information on energy saving habits may be a consequence of the low will to change habit, but also of the impossibility to change the habit (unless changing the heating device, but this implies expenditures). Results can be used for consideration of changes in organization and regulation of the electricity market in all South Eastern European countries (SEE).

Respiration ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Xiao Tang ◽  
Ying-Mei Feng ◽  
Ji-Xiang Ni ◽  
Jia-Ying Zhang ◽  
Li-Min Liu ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> There is still no clinical evidence available to support or to oppose corticosteroid treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To investigate the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid given to the hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This was a prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized control trial. Adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who were admitted to the general ward were randomly assigned to either receive methylprednisolone or not for 7 days. The primary end point was the incidence of clinical deterioration 14 days after randomization. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We terminated this trial early because the number of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in all the centers decreased in late March. Finally, a total of 86 COVID-19 patients underwent randomization. There was no difference of the incidence of clinical deterioration between the methylprednisolone group and control group (4.8 vs. 4.8%, <i>p</i> = 1.000). The duration of throat viral RNA detectability in the methylprednisolone group was 11 days (interquartile range, 6–16 days), which was significantly longer than that in the control group (8 days [2–12 days], <i>p</i> = 0.030). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in other secondary outcomes. Mass cytometry discovered CD3<sup>+</sup> T cells, CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells, and NK cells in the methylprednisolone group which were significantly lower than those in the control group after randomization (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> From this prematurely closed trial, we found that the short-term early use of corticosteroid could suppress the immune cells, which may prolong severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 shedding in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. <b><i>Trial Registration:</i></b> ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04273321.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Abdul Rahman ◽  
Raghunatha Rao D ◽  
Vasantha L

The present study is aimed to study and analyze the true and pseudo Cholinesterase levels in the subjects exposed to pesticides during short term by intentional or accidental intake and long term exposure due to their occupation were studied at Department of Biochemistry, SVS medical college and hospital mahbubnagar district. Whole blood cholinesterase levels and Pseudo cholinesterase levels were estimated. 150 people were taken as controls who had no medical illness and a total number of 300 cases of pesticide poisoning were selected, aged between 20 to 55 years, which consist of 150 acute poisoning and 150 chronic poisoning subjects in Mahbubnagar district, were taken as case study, the detailed case history and the type of organophosphorus pesticide taken were recorded. Mean and standard deviation (S.D) of all variables were calculated and compared with those of controls. Statistical significance was assessed and P-value <0.05 were considered significant.           During acute poisoning the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase/True cholinesterase (U / L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 1.267± 0.612 on 3th day was 1.651±0.647, on 7th day was 2.221±0.684 and at the end of 6 months was 3.970±0.404.The difference between the study group and control group (4.0 ± 0.39) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 2213.05 ± 1749.81, on 3th day was 2862.3 ± 2025.6, on 7th day was 4008.4 ± 2355.9 and at the end of 6 months was 7708.34 ± 880.72.The difference between the study group and control group (7991.97 ± 1276.5) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. During chronic poisoning (exposure) the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase (U/L) in controls is 4.0 ± 0.39 as compared to 3.019 ± 0.848 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in controls was 7991.97 ± 1276.5 as compared to 6214 ± 1189 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaying Song

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of iRoot BP Plus pulpotomy for immediate repair in children with young permanent teeth crown fracture. Methods: From September 2017 to October 2018, 80 children (80 affected teeth) with young permanent teeth crown fracture who treated in the hospital were selected as the research objects. Random number table method was used to divide them into observation and control groups with each group of forty patients (40 affected teeth). The children in the control group were treated with calcium hydroxide resin, while the observation group were treated with iRoot BP Plus for immediate repair. The surgical success rate was compared between the two groups, and the pulp vitality before and after treatment were compared. Results: At 3 months and 6 months after surgery, the success rate of children in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The percentage of children with negative pulp activity in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Immediate repair with iRoot BP Plus pulpotomy in children with young permanent teeth crown fracture has significant clinical effect.


Author(s):  
Nadya Isnan Furqoni

Providing student with clear feedback is one of the ways that can facilitate students to be able to write well. This study is aimed to find out the difference between students who are taught by using peer feedback and those who are taught by using teacher feedback.  This was an experimental research that used quantitative approach. The subjects of this research were students of Writing II of English Department of FKIP Lambung Mangkurat University. Writing II class A1 was the experiment group and Writing II class A2 was the control group. The data of this research were students’ writing achievement in both experiment and control class. The data analyzed by using SPSS (One-Way ANOVA). Ha was found 0.003 which meant that Ha was accepted. It showed that there was difference in students’ writing achievement between students in experiment and control class. It was proved that students who were taught by using peer feedback had higher achievement in writing than students who were taught by using teacher feedback. On the whole, it is suggested for students to improve their ability in proof reading and for the teachers, it is suggested to apply not only teacher feedback technique, but also peer feedback technique to their students in writing class.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aliya Ishaq ◽  
Abida Parveen ◽  
Aliya Ishaq ◽  
Mariya Ishaq ◽  
Muhammad Jamshaid Hussain Khan ◽  
...  

Objective: The study aimed to determine the efficacy of single dose of glucocorticoid (125 mg of Solumedrol intravenous) in terms of seroma formation after mastectomy in patient with carcinoma of breast. Study Design: Randomized control trial. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital Karachi, Pakistan from july 1 to dec 31, 2010. Patients and Methods: Patients were randomly divided in two groups (study and control) each group consisting of 30 patients. Randomization was done by opening of a sealed envelope which had a slip bearing the name of study medication (solumederol or saline as placebo) to be administered. The study group received a single dose of inj 125mg solumedrol IV half an hour prior to surgery by resident scrub in surgery. A similar procedure was applied to the control group and patients in controlled group were administered an equal volume of saline intravenously. After drain removal patients in both groups were observed for a duration of 2 weeks for sermoa formation. Detection of seroma formation was based on clinical grounds by absence of any fluid collection at mastectomy bed as detected by manual palpation. SPSS 10 was used for analysis. Results: Seroma formation was observed in 66.7% (40/60) women 2 weeks post drain removal. Rate of seroma formation was significantly low in study groups than control groups (33.3% vs. 100%; p=0.0001). Conclusion: Single dose of steroid is efficacious in reducing the post mastectomy seroma formation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 496-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Yılmaz ◽  
Funda Kavak

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness-based psychoeducation on internalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia. The patients were recruited from the community mental health centers. This quasiexperimental study was conducted using pretests and posttests with a control group. The participants were 69 patients with schizophrenia; 34 were part of the experimental group and 35 were part of the control group. The patients in the experimental group participated 2 days a week for 6 weeks in a total of 12 sessions which were given in the form of face-to-face group training. The difference between the scale mean posttest scores of the patients in the experimental and control groups was found to be statistically significant ( p < .05). In the intragroup comparisons, a significant difference was found between the stigma mean scores in the experimental group ( p < .05). It was concluded that mindfulness-based psychoeducation was effective in reducing stigma in patients with schizophrenia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-117
Author(s):  
MA Siddiqui ◽  
Abdul Quavi ◽  
Mohd Aleemuddin Quamri

Background and Objective: Qarahe Hazmiya (Peptic ulcer disease) is one of the commonest ailment of Gastro intestinal tract, reported to affect around 4% of the population and 10% of people developed it at some point in their life. Etiopathology of the disease is considered as multi factorial mostly treated with medications and rarely with surgery. Several Unani formulation have been indicated effective in Qarahe Hazmiya, one of such formulation has been selected to evaluate its efficacy and to validate the same on scientific parametersMethods: This study was conducted as a single blind, randomized standard control clinical trial on 28 patients (n=20) in test and (n=8) control groups. Test group received Ayarij Faiqura 5gm and control group received Pantoprazole 40 mg, orally in empty stomach for 45 days. The study outcome was assessed as the difference in pre and post treatment through subjective and objective parameters.Result: The test drugs revealed statistically significant improvement in burning sensation in abdomen (p<0.0001), pain abdomen (p<0.0001) as subjective parameters in comparison to control group where as objectivecally endoscopic report showed significantly improvement (p<0.0196) in comparison to control group with respect to the healing of ulcer / erosions.Interpretation and conclusion: The study revealed that the test drug had good response in controlling burning sensation and pain abdomen, along with healing of ulcer / erosions in comparison to control drug. No side effect or toxicity was observed during and or after the study. Thus, it could be concluded that the test drug was found to be safe and effective without any adverse effect.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(1) 2018 p.112-117


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 205873921881917
Author(s):  
Ye Zhao ◽  
Qiu-Man Wang ◽  
Li-Ting Yao ◽  
Xiao Han

This study aims to determine the effect of paiteling by placing a vaginal stump on the outcome of persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection after hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). From January 2013 to December 2015, 125 patients were enrolled in the study. These patients were divided into groups, according to patient’s preference. There were 55 patients in the paiteling group, while there were 70 patients in the control group. At the end of the third and ninth month, Thinprep cytology test (TCT) and human papillomavirus (HPV) typing were reviewed to determine the changes in HR-HPV and its complications. The negative conversion rates of these two groups were observed. Patients in the control group were observed and followed up without treatment. At the third month after treatment, HPV negative rates were 83.64% and 34.29% in the paiteling group and control group, respectively (χ2 = 30.444, P < 0.01). In the ninth month, the rate of HPV negative conversion was 90.91% in the paiteling group and 48.57% in the control group (χ2 = 25.047, P < 0.01). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant, and patients in both groups had no obvious adverse reactions. Paiteling irrigation at the vaginal stump can accelerate the positive-to-negative conversion of HR-HPV infection after panhysterectomy.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunhua Yu ◽  
Jin Wang ◽  
Yan Fu ◽  
Yongqiu Mao ◽  
Yongshun Chen ◽  
...  

Background and objective: A murine model of skin injury from vinorelbine extravasation was established to evaluate the treatment efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF). Materials and method: Experimental models were divided into bFGF, rhGM-CSF, and control (saline) groups, with 40 mice in each group. Edema and ulceration were measured on Days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 18 after the onset of extravasation; injuries were examined pathomorphologically in three mice/group/time point. Results: Edema reached maximum size on Day 3 in the bFGF and rhGM-CSF groups and Day 5 in the control group. The difference between the two experimental groups was not significant; differences between the control group and the experimental groups were statistically significant at all time points. Edema and ulceration began to improve on Day 10 in the bFGF and rhGM-CSF groups and Day 18 in the control group. Healing duration was 14—18 days in the experimental groups, with a (not significantly) shorter duration in the bFGF group. Healing was completed by Day 27.5 in the control group. Pathomorphological evaluation showed regular reepithelization and newly formed granulation tissue in the bFGF and rhGM-CSF groups on Day 13. In the control group, wounds were partially healed, edema and shallow ulcers existed, and epithelization was fragile and disorganized on Day 18. Conclusions: bFGF and rhGM-CSF are useful for the treatment of skin injury due to vinorelbine extravasation, but bFGF may be slightly more effective in decreasing time and improving quality of healing.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (05) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ragab H. Mohamed ◽  
Mohamed Hossam ◽  
Axel Wehrend ◽  
Hassan A. Hussein

SummaryObjective: The aim of this study was to monitor the ovarian response and conception rate following estrous synchronization using CIDR, Ovsynch and double prostaglandin F2α protocols in Egyptian buffalo heifers. Material and methods: A total of 80 cyclic buffalo heifers were divided into four equal groups: CIDR (intravaginal progesterone releasing device, EAZI-BREEDTM CIDR®), Ovsynch (GnRH, PGF2α, GnRH injections), PGF (double PGF2α doses) and control. Timed artificial insemination (TAI) was performed in all heifers. All animals were exa - mined using ultrasound and blood samples were collected for measurement of progesterone. Results: A new follicular wave occurred earlier in the Ovsynch and PGF groups than in the CIDR group (p < 0.05). The mean diameter of the ovulatory follicle was smaller in the CIDR group than in the Ovsynch and PGF groups (p < 0.05). The ovulation rate was 100% in the CIDR group, 75% in the Ovsynch group and 70% in the PGF group. In the control group a lower pregnancy rate (20%) was determined in than in the CIDR (35%), Ovsynch (40%) and PGF (35%) groups. Progesterone concentrations were numerically higher in pregnant heifers of the CIDR group but the difference was non-significantly compared to the Ovsynch, PGF and control groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion and clinical relevance: EAZIBREEDTM CIDR®, Ovsynch-based TAI and PGF protocols were effective in synchronizing oestrus and resulted in nearly similar pregnancy rates in Egyptian buffalo heifers.


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