scholarly journals Multivariate analysis and vigor tests to determine the quality of Brachiaria decumbens seeds

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Givanildo Zildo da Silva ◽  
Cibele Chalita Martins ◽  
Riselane de Lucena Alcântara Bruno ◽  
Francisco Elder Carlos Bezerra Pereira ◽  
Tatiane Sanches Jeromini
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Brachiaria Decumbens

scholarly journals Thirty-day readmission rate as a surrogate marker for quality of care in neurosurgical patients: a single-center Canadian experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 130 (5) ◽  
pp. 1692-1698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell P. Wilson ◽  
Andrew S. Jack ◽  
Andrew Nataraj ◽  
Michael Chow
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Neurosurgical Patients ◽  
Avoidable Readmissions

OBJECTIVEReadmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge is used as a surrogate marker for quality and value of care in the United States (US) healthcare system. Concern exists regarding the value of 30-day readmission as a quality of care metric in neurosurgical patients. Few studies have assessed 30-day readmission rates in neurosurgical patients outside the US. The authors performed a retrospective review of all adult neurosurgical patients admitted to a single Canadian neurosurgical academic center and who were discharged to home to assess for the all-cause 30-day readmission rate, unplanned 30-day readmission rate, and avoidable 30-day readmission rate.METHODSA retrospective review was performed assessing 30-day readmission rates after discharge to home in all neurosurgical patients admitted to a single academic neurosurgical center from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011. The primary outcomes included rates of all-cause, unplanned, and avoidable readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Secondary outcomes included factors associated with unplanned and avoidable 30-day readmissions.RESULTSA total of 184 of 950 patients (19.4%) were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. One-hundred three patients (10.8%) were readmitted for an unplanned reason and 81 (8.5%) were readmitted for a planned or rescheduled operation. Only 19 readmissions (10%) were for a potentially avoidable reason. Univariate analysis identified factors associated with readmission for a complication or persistent/worsening symptom, including age (p = 0.009), length of stay (p = 0.007), general neurosurgery diagnosis (p < 0.001), cranial pathology (p < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p < 0.001), number of initial admission operations (p = 0.01), and shunt procedures (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified predictive factors of readmission, including diagnosis (p = 0.002, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–5.3), cranial pathology (p = 0.002, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4–5.3), ICU admission (p = 0.004, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.2), and number of first admission operations (p = 0.01, OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.3–0.87). Univariate analysis performed to identify factors associated with potentially avoidable readmissions included length of stay (p = 0.03), diagnosis (p < 0.001), cranial pathology (p = 0.02), and shunt procedures (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified only shunt procedures as a predictive factor for avoidable readmission (p = 0.02, OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.4–22.8).CONCLUSIONSAlmost one-fifth of neurosurgical patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. However, only about half of these patients were admitted for an unplanned reason, and only 10% of all readmissions were potentially avoidable. This study demonstrates unique challenges encountered in a publicly funded healthcare setting and supports the growing literature suggesting 30-day readmission rates may serve as an inappropriate quality of care metric in neurosurgical patients. Potentially avoidable readmissions can be predicted, and further research assessing predictors of avoidable readmissions is warranted.

654 PHARYNGEAL POUCH SURGERY IN OCTO- AND NONAGENARIANS IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE: A MULTICENTER COMPARATIVE COHORT STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Liu ◽  
Mohamed Afzal ◽  
Tim Bright ◽  
David Watson ◽  
Peter Devitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Revisional Surgery ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Perioperative Outcomes ◽  
Pharyngeal Pouch ◽  
Comparative Cohort Study ◽  
Pouch Surgery

Abstract   Surgery is the only effective treatment strategy for a symptomatic pharyngeal pouch. However, octo- and nonagenarians are often denied referral to a surgeon because of perceived increased risks. Here, we examine the perioperative outcomes of pharyngeal pouch surgery in octo- and nonagenarians in comparison to patients under 80 years-of-age. Methods Analysis of a prospectively maintained database of 113 patients (≥80 years-of-age: 27, &lt;80 years-of-age: 86) who underwent pharyngeal pouch surgery across seven hospitals from 1 January 2006 to 30 September 2020. Results Patients ≥80 years-of-age had comparable operative time, complication profile, intensive care admission, emergency reoperation, and revisional surgery as their younger counterparts. The severity of complications was not significantly different between the two age groups. No surgical mortality was recorded. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that diverticulectomy combined with cricopharyngeal myotomy independently predicted higher rates of complications (OR: 4.53, 95% CI: 1.43-14.33, p = 0.010), but also greater symptomatic improvement (OR: 4.36, 95% CI: 1.50-12.67, p = 0.007). Importantly, a greater proportion of octo- and nonagenarians experienced improved swallowing than patients &lt;80 years-of-age (96.3% vs. 74.4%, p = 0.013). Advanced age was not predictive of complications on multivariate analysis. Conclusion In appropriately selected patients, pharyngeal pouch surgery can be safely offered to patients above 80 years-of-age resulting in significant improvement in their quality-of-life. These patients should not be denied surgery on the basis of advanced age alone.

scholarly journals Multivariate Analysis for Assessing Irrigation Water Quality: A Case Study of the Bahr Mouise Canal, Eastern Nile Delta

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed K. Abdel-Fattah ◽  
Sameh Kotb Abd-Elmabod ◽  
Ali A. Aldosari ◽  
Ahmed S. Elrys ◽  
Elsayed Said Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Class I ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Irrigation Water Quality

Water scarcity and suitable irrigation water management in arid regions represent tangible challenges for sustainable agriculture. The current study aimed to apply multivariate analysis and to develop a simplified water quality assessment using principal component analysis (PCA) and the agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) technique to assess the water quality of the Bahr Mouise canal in El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. The proposed methods depended on the monitored water chemical composition (e.g., pH, water electrical conductivity (ECiw), Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl−, and SO42−) during 2019. Based on the supervised classification of satellite images (Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI)), the distinguished land use/land cover types around the Bahr Mouise canal were agriculture, urban, and water bodies, while the dominating land use was agriculture. The water quality of the Bahr Mouise canal was classified into two classes based on the application of the irrigation water quality index (IWQI), while the water quality was classified into three classes using the PCA and AHC methods. Temporal variations in water quality were investigated, where the water qualities in winter, autumn, and spring (January, February, March, April, November, and December) were classified as class I (no restrictions) based on IWQI application, and the water salinity, sodicity, and/or alkalinity did not represent limiting factors for irrigation water quality. On the other hand, in the summer season (May, June, July, August, and October), the irrigation water was classified as class II (low restrictions); therefore, irrigation processes during summer may lead to an increase in the alkalinity hazard. The PCA classifications were compared with the IWQI results; the PCA classifications had similar assessment results during the year, except in September, while the water quality was assigned to class II using the PCA method and class I by applying the IWQI. Furthermore, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) around the Bahr Mouise canal over eight months and climatic data assisted in explaining the fluctuations in water quality during 2019 as a result of changing the crop season and agriculture management. Assessments of water quality help to conserve soil, reduce degradation risk, and support decision makers in order to obtain sustainable agriculture, especially under water irrigation scarcity and the limited agricultural land in such an arid region.

scholarly journals Predictive factors of posttreatment fracture by definitive radiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuki Ishikawa ◽  
Tsuneo Yamashiro ◽  
Takuro Ariga ◽  
Takafumi Toita ◽  
Wataru Kudaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Uterine Cervical Cancer

Abstract Purpose Fractures are known to shorten life expectancy and worsen the quality of life. The risk of fractures after radiation therapy in cervical cancer patients is known to be multifactorial. In this study, we examined risk factors for fractures in cervical cancer patients, especially by evaluating bone densities and DVH parameters for fractured bones. Materials and Methods For 42 patients, clinical characteristics, pretreatment CT bone densities, and radiation dose were compared between patients with and without fractures. Results Posttreatment fractures occurred in 25 bones among ten patients. Pretreatment CT bone densities were significantly lower in patients with fractures (P < 0.05–0.01 across sites, except for the ilium and the ischium). Although DVH parameters were also significantly associated with fractures in univariate analysis, only CT densities were significantly associated with fractures in multivariate analysis. Conclusion Pretreatment CT densities of spinal and pelvic bones, which may reflect osteoporosis, have a significant impact on the risk for posttreatment fractures.

scholarly journals Association between maternal satisfaction and other indicators of quality of care at childbirth: a cross-sectional study based on the WHO standards

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e037063
Author(s):  
Marzia Lazzerini ◽  
Ilaria Mariani ◽  
Chiara Semenzato ◽  
Emanuelle Pessa Valente
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Maternal Satisfaction ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Correlated Variables ◽  
Care Experience ◽  
Who Standards

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the association between maternal satisfaction and other indicators of quality of care (QoC) at childbirth, as defined by WHO standards.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingReferral hospital in Northeast Italy.Participants1244 consecutive mothers giving birth in the hospital participated in a survey.Data collection and analysisUnivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association between maternal satisfaction and 61 variables, including measures of ‘provision of care’, ‘experience of care’, ‘availability of resources’ and other maternal characteristics. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to create groups of correlated variables, which were used in multivariate analysis.ResultsOverall, 509 (40.9%) of women were >35 years of age, about half (52.7%) were highly educated, most (95.2%) were married/living with partner and employed (79.3%) and about half (52.9%) were primiparous. Overall, 189 (15.2%) were not born in Italy and 111 (8.9%) did not have Italian citizenship. Most women (84.2%) were highly satisfied (score ≥7/10) with the care received. Among the 61 variables explored, 46 (75.4%) were significantly associated with women’s satisfaction, 33 with higher satisfaction and 13 with lower satisfaction. Multivariate analysis largely confirmed univariate findings, with six out of eight groups of correlated variables being statistically significantly associated with women’s satisfaction. Factors most strongly associated with women’s satisfaction were ‘effective communication, involvement, listening to women’s needs, respectful and timely care’ (OR 16.84, 95% CI 9.90 to 28.61, p<0.001) and ‘physical structure’ (OR 6.51, 95% CI 4.08 to 10.40, p<0.001). Additionally, ‘victim of abuse, discrimination, aggressiveness’ was inversely associated with the wish to return to the facility or to recommend it to a friend (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.70, p<0.003).ConclusionThis study suggested that many variables are strongly associated with women’s satisfaction with care during childbirth and support the use of multiple measures to monitor the QoC at childbirth.

scholarly journals Phytosociology in Degraded and Renewed Pastures in Agrosilvopastoral Systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. DIAS ◽  
M.V. SANTOS ◽  
E.A. FERREIRA ◽  
T.G.S BRAZ ◽  
L.V. FIGUEIREDO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Similarity Index ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Importance Value Index ◽  
Importance Value ◽  
Brachiaria Decumbens ◽  
Agrosilvopastoral Systems ◽  
Before And After ◽  
One Year ◽  
Sida Cordifolia

ABSTRACT: In pastures, the incidence of weeds reduces the productivity and quality of forage. The identification of the weed species in pastures is fundamental to choose the renewal method. Thus, the objective of this work was to perform phytosociology before and after the renewal of a Brachiaria decumbens pasture, with the implantation of agrosilvopastoral systems. Eighteen different crop arrangements for pasture renewal were evaluated. The renewal systems were by eucalyptus integration (at 12 x 2 m or 12 x 3 m spacings) with maize, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu (palisade grass) and/or Macrotyloma axillare (perennial horsegram), or monoculture and intercropping of palisade grass and perennial horsegram, as well as the evaluation of the application or not of the herbicide bentazon, at the recommended dose for maize crops (0.72 kg ha-1). Relative frequency, relative density, relative abundance, relative dominance, coverage value index, importance value index, dry matter and similarity index were evaluated. In the first survey, before the pasture renewal, 23 plant species were identified. After the implantation of agrosilvopastoral systems, the species Sida cordifolia, Lantana camara and B. decumbens were the only occurring ones before and after the renewal of the pasture with agrosilvopastoral systems. The use of palisade grass and the application of the herbicide were efficient in controlling weeds. In systems that contained palisade grass and perennial horsegram, the latter was not found in the survey conducted one year after the implantation.

scholarly journals Does Audit Improve the Quality of ESG Scores? Evidence from Corporate Misconduct

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Del Giudice ◽  
Silvia Rigamonti
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Third Parties ◽  
Sustainability Metrics ◽  
Corporate Misconduct ◽  
Rating Agencies ◽  
Accurate Interpretation

One of the main controversial aspects of sustainability metrics relies on the accuracy, transparency, and reliability of the information at the basis of environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores. This paper investigates whether firms that have their ESG reporting audited by independent firms exhibit a higher quality of ESG scores. We performed an analysis investigating the change in ESG scores following the unveiling of a corporate misconduct. We documented that, overall, no significant ESG score adjustment occurs after the scandal becomes public, thus, implying that rating agencies provide an accurate interpretation of the firm’s sustainability. However, our results differed when we distinguished between audited and unaudited reports. Firms whose reports are audited by third parties did not exhibit significant changes in their scores after a scandal, whereas for companies whose reports are not audited, we detected a worsening of the ESG scores that are statistically significant. Our findings were also confirmed in a multivariate analysis. Overall, our results suggest that the reliability of ESG scores can benefit from the auditing of sustainability reporting by third parties, which has an assurance effect on the quality of the company’s ESG information.

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