Revisión de los estudios orientados a la medición de las capacidades tecnológicas por medio de la literatura patente. Propuesta de análisis estadístico y evaluación de la calidad de una base de datos en patentes

El desarrollo de los estudios estadísticos y bibliométricos de la literatura patente fueron iniciados en España por diversos autores, que luego consideraremos. Se revisan los criterios destinados a la creación de una base de datos denominada Recodificacion. SAV para el análisis y tratamiento estadístico de 13.913 patentes españolas depositadas en la Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM).The development of statistical and bibliometrics studies of patents literature were begun in Spain by various authors who will be considered later. Review has been carried out of the criteria for the creation of a database entitled Recodification. SAV for the analysis and statistical treatment of 13,913 Spanish patents deposited in the Spanish Patents and Trademarks Office

Risk factors for incidence and persistence of disability in chronic major depression and alcohol use disorders: longitudinal analyses of a population-based study

BackgroundMajor depression and alcohol use disorders are risk factors for incidence of disability. However, it is still unclear whether a chronic course of these health conditions is also prospectively associated with incidence of disability. The aim of the present study was, first, to confirm whether chronic major depression (MD) and alcohol use disorders (AUD) are, respectively, risk factors for persistence and incidence of disability in the general population; and then to analyze the role of help-seeking behavior in the course of disability among respondents with chronic MD and chronic AUD. MethodData from two assessments in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions were analyzed. Disability was measured by eight domains of the Short Form 12 Health Survey version 2 (SF-12). Generalized estimating equations and logistic regression models were run to estimate risk factors for persistence and incidence of disability, respectively. ResultsAnalyses conducted on data from the US general population showed that chronic MD was the strongest risk factor for incidence and persistence of disability in the social functioning, emotional role and mental health domains. Chronic AUD were risk factors for incidence and persistence of disability in the vitality, social functioning, and emotional role domains. Within the group of chronic MD, physical comorbidity and help-seeking were associated with persistent disability in most of the SF-12 domains. Help-seeking behavior was also associated with incidence of problems in the mental health domain for the depression group. Regarding the AUD group, comorbidity with physical health problems was a strong risk factor for persistence of disability in all SF-12 domains. Help-seeking behavior was not related to either persistence or incidence of disability in the chronic alcohol group. ConclusionsChronic MD and chronic AUD are independent risk factors for persistence and incidence of disability in the US general population. People with chronic MD seek help for their problems when they experience persistent disability, whereas people with chronic AUD might not seek any help even if they are suffering from persistent disability.<br/

The Best-or-Worst and the Postdoc problems

We consider two variants of the secretary problem, the\emph{ Best-or-Worst} and the \emph{Postdoc} problems, which are closely related. First, we prove that both variants, in their standard form with binary payoff 1 or 0, share the same optimal stopping rule. We also consider additional cost/perquisites depending on the number of interviewed candidates. In these situations the optimal strategies are very different. Finally, we also focus on the Best-or-Worst variant with different payments depending on whether the selected candidate is the best or the worst

The importance of the tumor microenvironment to understand tumor origin, evolution, and treatment response

During the second half of the twentieth century, oncology adopted a tumor-centric approach to cancer treatment, focusing primarily on the tumor cell to identify new therapeutic targets. However, since the 2000s, we have seen a gradual shift in this paradigm with numerous studies highlighting the importance of the tumor microenvironment in tumor progression, patient prognosis, and therapy response. Solid tumors are highly complex systems where numerous cell types and microenvironmental factors are intertwined, potentially affecting tumor evolution, treatment response, and patient outcome. Stromal cells such as fibroblasts and immune cells can stimulate or suppress tumor growth and are currently being used as therapeutic targets in numerous studies and clinical trials..

Improving automobile insurance ratemaking using telematics: incorporating mileage and driver behaviour data

We show how data collected from a GPS device can be incorporated in motor insurance ratemaking . The calculation of premium rates based upon driver behaviour represents an opportunity for the insurance sector . Our approach is based on count data regression models for frequency, where exposure is driven by the distance travelled and additional paramete rs that capture characteristics of automobile usage and which may affect claiming behaviour . We propose implement ing a classical frequency model that is updated with telemetrics information. We illustrate the method using real data from usage - based insurance policies. Results show that not only the distance travelled by the driver, but also driver habits, significantly influence the expected number of accidents and, hence, the cost of insurance coverage . This paper provides a methodology including a transition pricing transferring knowledge and experience that the company already had before the telematics data arrived to the new world including telematics information incorporated in motor insurance ratemaking . The calculation of premium rates based upon driver behaviour represents an opportunity for the insurance sector. Our approach is based on count data regression models for frequency, where exposure is driven by the distance travelled and additional parameters that capture characteristics of automobile usage and which may affect claiming behaviour. We propose implementing a classical frequency model that is updated with telemetrics information. We illustrate the method using real data from usage - based insurance policies. Results show that not only the distance travelled by the driver, but also driver habits, significantly influence the expected number of accidents and, hence, the cost of insurance coverage . This paper provides a methodology including a transition pricing transferring knowledge and experience that the company already had before the telematics data arrived to the new world including telematics information

The efficacy of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and quality of life in depression:a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition of the importance of both functioning and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in the treatment of depressive disorders, but the meta-analytic evidence is scarce. The objective of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to determine the absolute and relative effects of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and QoL in patients with depression. METHOD: One hundred and fifty-three outcome trials involving 29 879 participants with depressive disorders were identified through database searches in Pubmed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. RESULTS: Compared to control conditions, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy yielded small to moderate effect sizes for functioning and QoL, ranging from g = 0.31 to g = 0.43. When compared directly, initial analysis yielded no evidence that one of them was superior. After adjusting for publication bias, psychotherapy was more efficacious than pharmacotherapy (g = 0.21) for QoL. The combination of psychotherapy and medication performed significantly better for both outcomes compared to each treatment alone yielding small effect sizes (g = 0.32 to g = 0.39). Both interventions improved depression symptom severity more than functioning and QoL. CONCLUSION: Despite the small number of comparative trials for some of the analyses, this study reveals that combined treatment is superior, but psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy alone are also efficacious for improving functioning and QoL. The overall relatively modest effects suggest that future tailoring of therapies could be warranted to better meet the needs of individuals with functioning and QoL problems

Impact of multimorbidity on disability and quality of life in the Spanish older population

Background Population aging is closely related to high prevalence of chronic conditions in developed countries. In this context, health care policies aim to increase life span cost-effectively while maintaining quality of life and functional ability. There is still, however, a need for further understanding of how chronic conditions affect these health aspects. The aim of this paper is to assess the individual and combined impact of chronic physical and mental conditions on quality of life and disability in Spain, and secondly to show gender trends. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected from the COURAGE study. A total of 3,625 participants over 50 years old from Spain were included. Crude and adjusted multiple linear regressions were conducted to detect associations between individual chronic conditions and disability, and between chronic conditions and quality of life. Separate models were used to assess the influence of the number of diseases on the same variables. Additional analogous regressions were performed for males and females. Results All chronic conditions except hypertension were statistically associated with poor results in quality of life and disability. Depression, anxiety and stroke were found to have the greatest impact on outcomes. The number of chronic conditions was associated with substantially lower quality of life [ß for 4+ diseases: -18.10 (-20.95,-15.25)] and greater disability [ß for 4+ diseases: 27.64 (24.99,30.29]. In general, women suffered from higher rates of multimorbidity and poorer results in quality of life and disability. Conclusions Chronic conditions impact greatly on quality of life and disability in the older Spanish population, especially when co-occurring diseases are added. Multimorbidity considerations should be a priority in the development of future health policies focused on quality of life and disability. Further studies would benefit from an expanded selection of diseases. Policies should also deal with gender idiosyncrasy in certain cases

Cuantificación porcentual de los daños existentes en los revestimientos interiores de las viviendas españolas

Internal coatings are among those construction units which experience the most interaction with users, given their proximity to them. This research focuses on determining the most usual damages in tiling, cement renders, plasters, suspended ceilings and indoor flooring from all of Spain, as per the requirements indicated by the users. In addition, the causes of these deficiencies are also found, as well as their percentage according to the type of construction they are found in (flats or houses). From the data used, the most typical groups of damages are indicated, as well as a procedure to determine the probability of future damages, according to a weighted matrix classifying the correspondence between 4 descriptors. The knowledge of these results will assist technicians to minimise damages in these types of construction units.Los revestimientos interiores son de las unidades constructivas que más interrelación tienen con los usuarios, dada su cercanía de uso con éstos. Esta investigación se centra en la determinación de los daños más usuales en los alicatados, enfoscados, guarnecidos, falsos techos y solados interiores, obtenidos en el conjunto de España a partir de los requerimientos presentados por los usuarios. Se determinan también cuáles son los orígenes que motivan estas deficiencias, así como la presencia que tienen las mismas en función del formato constructivo en donde tienen lugar (viviendas en bloque o unifamiliares). A partir de los datos manejados se presentan los grupos de daños más característicos, así como un procedimiento para determinar la probabilidad ante futuros requerimientos, en función de una matriz ponderada que clasifica la correspondencia entre los 4 descriptores manejados. El conocimiento de los resultados obtenidos ayudará a los técnicos a minimizar los daños en estas unidades constructivas