On parallel computing for stochastic optimization models and algorithms

167 p.

Implementation of the nursing process in a health area: models and assessment structures used

Objective: to analyze what nursing models and nursing assessment structures have been used in the implementation of the nursing process at the public and private centers in the health area Gipuzkoa (Basque Country). Method: a retrospective study was undertaken, based on the analysis of the nursing records used at the 158 centers studied. Results: the Henderson model, Carpenito's bifocal structure, Gordon's assessment structure and the Resident Assessment Instrument Nursing Home 2.0 have been used as nursing models and assessment structures to implement the nursing process. At some centers, the selected model or assessment structure has varied over time. Conclusion: Henderson's model has been the most used to implement the nursing process. Furthermore, the trend is observed to complement or replace Henderson's model by nursing assessment structures.

Propuesta de un modelo de competitividad portuaria: aplicación para Bilbao y las líneas marítimas de contenedores

[ES] Este trabajo de investigación pretende proponer un modelo de cuantificación de la competitividad portuaria que puede alcanzar un puerto comercial para un tráfico de contenedores. Derivado de este objetivo, podría conseguirse una Estrategia a la medida para un puerto concreto orientada a la búsqueda de mercados, fundamentalmente. Para este último aspecto, esta investigación se centra en el Puerto de Bilbao y los servicios directos de línea regular en contenedor en las rutas intercontinentales que conectan Europa con América y el Caribe. La finalidad principal es la elaboración de un modelo teórico tratado dentro del área de la ciencia de la Economía de la Empresa como antecedente inmediato y básico de la Dirección Estratégica. Se consideran varios factores en el proceso de selección de un puerto que pueden contribuir a las preferencias de elección, tanto los relativos a las características del mismo, como a su hinterland para los grupos de usuarios. También se analizarán los estudios sobre modelos y métodos de competitividad portuaria considerados por la literatura especializada en los últimos años. La metodología a utilizar será una combinación de distintos métodos, para la consecución de cada uno de los objetivos. La investigación se apoya en el análisis de Importance–Performance (IPa) que consiste en evaluar tanto la satisfacción del cliente y la calidad del servicio. El análisis IPa tiene preponderancia para la obtención de un índice de competitividad de un puerto de contenedores. Dicho índice podría ser calculado mediante el uso de postulados y reglas de la matemática, en concreto de la Teoría de la Decisión/ Investigación de Operaciones.

Dobutamine in Paediatric Population: A Systematic Review in Juvenile Animal Models

Objective: Although dobutamine is widely used in neonatal clinical practice, the evidence for its use in this specific population is not clear. We conducted a systematic review of the use of dobutamine in juvenile animals to determine whether the evidence from juvenile animal experiments with dobutamine supported the design of clinical trials in neonatal/ paediatric population. Methods: Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (1946-2012) and EMBASE (1974-2012). Articles retrieved were independently reviewed by three authors and only those concerning efficacy and safety of the drug in juvenile animals were included. Only original articles published in English and Spanish were included. Results: Following our literature search, 265 articles were retrieved and 24 studies were included in the review: 17 focused on neonatal models and 7 on young animal models. Although the aims and design of these studies, as well as the doses and ages analysed, were quite heterogeneous, the majority of authors agree that dobutamine infusion improves cardiac output in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, the cardiovascular effects of dobutamine are influenced by postnatal age, as well as by the dose used and the duration of the therapy. There is inadequate information about the effects of dobutamine on cerebral perfusion to draw conclusions. Conclusion: There is enough preclinical evidence to ensure that dobutamine improves cardiac output, however to better understand its effects in peripheral organs, such as the brain, more specific and well designed studies are required to provide additional data to support the design of clinical trials in a paediatric population.