Union of South American Nations： Monetary Synchronization and Economic Asymmetries

An analysis of the monetary synchronization of the Union of South American Nations （UNASUR） for the decade 2004 through 2013 has been conducted using the optimum currency area （OCA） theories in order to evaluate the economic integration. By applying Bayoumi and Eichengreen＇s equation, it was found that with a decent adjustment, a high percentage of countries show a tendency to harmonize their currencies in function of the four independent variables： output disturbances, the dissimilarity in exports composition, the trade linkages, and the size of the economies. To extend the model, mobility of labor and level of the integration in good＇s market were added by modifying Behrens＇ proposal, founding that the six variables are indeed related to the exchange rate harmonization at different significant levels, with a considerable moderate fitting. Additionally an analysis of variance （ANOVA） has been considered in order to study the following economic indicators： gross domestic product （GDP）, population, GDP per capita, exports to group vs. total exports, unemployment, and inflation rates so as to visualize the economic asymmetries of the Union, for the same period. Differences were inferred for all of them but not for their annual speed of change. The least significant differences （LSD） provide further results and Duncan＇s multiple range tests lead to defining groups of countries with similar characteristics.

Impact of pre- and peri-operative risk factors on length of stay and hospital readmission following minimally-invasive partial nephrectomy

Objective:We conducted an analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for minimally-invasive partial nephrectomy cases reported with the goal to identify pre-and peri-operative variables associated with length of stay(LOS)greater than 3 days and readmission within 30 days.Methods:Records from 2008 to 2018 for“laparoscopy,surgical;partial nephrectomy”for prolonged LOS and readmission cohorts were compiled.Univariate analysis with Chi-square,t-tests,and multivariable logistic regression analysis with odds ratios(ORs),p-values,and 95%confidence intervals assessed statistical associations.Results:Totally,20306 records for LOS greater than 3 days and 15854 for readmission within 30 days were available.Univariate and multivariable analysis exhibited similar results.For LOS greater than 3 days,undergoing non-elective surgery(OR=5.247),transfusion of greater than four units within 72 h prior to surgery(OR=5.072),pre-operative renal failure or dialysis(OR=2.941),and poor pre-operative functional status(OR=2.540)exhibited the strongest statistically significant associations.For hospital readmission within 30 days,loss in body weight greater than 10%in 6 months prior to surgery(OR=2.227)and bleeding disorders(OR=2.081)exhibited strongest statistically significant associations.Conclusion:Multiple pre-and peri-operative risk factors are independently associated with prolonged LOS and hospital readmission within 30 days of surgery using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data.Recognizing the risks factors that can potentially be improved prior to minimally-invasive partial nephrectomy is crucial to informing patient selection,optimization strategies,and patient education.