Multivariate Data Imputation using Trees

We address the problem of completing two files with records containing a fully observed common subset of variables. The tecnique investigated involves the use of regression and/or classification trees. An extension of current methodology (the intersection-seeking or "forest-climbing" algorithm) is proposed to deal with multivariate response variables. The method is demonstrated and shown to be feasible and have some desirable properties.file completion, data imputation, regression trees

The Distributional Effects of Devolution in the U.S. Welfare Reform

The passage of the PRWORA in 1996 devolved responsibility for the design of welfare programs from the federal to state governments in the U.S. Some of the strategies implemented to achieve the main goals of the reform –promoting higher levels of labor participation and decreasing levels of welfare dependency– might have had the effects of reducing the protection received by the most vulnerable households and increasing differences in benefit levels across states. We estimate these effects using TANF data covering the two decades after the PRWORA\u27s enactment. We measure the contribution of each state to inequality in adequacy rates. We provide an interpretation of the decomposition of the change in inequality in adequacy rates in terms of progressivity and re-ranking components, and we analyze the convergence in TANF adequacy rates. We also estimate the conditional convergence of adequacy ratios with respect to the change in labor participation, poverty rates, and caseloads. We find that differences in adequacy rates increased and that a downward divergence path took place ensuing devolution of welfare reform in the U.S

Multivariate Data Imputation using Trees

We address the problem of completing two files with records containing a fully observed common subset of variables. The tecnique investigated involves the use of regression and/or classification trees. An extension of current methodology (the intersection-seeking or "forest-climbing" algorithm) is proposed to deal with multivariate response variables. The method is demonstrated and shown to be feasible and have some desirable properties.We thank for support the Spanish MEC (grant PB98-0149)

Measuring the Effect of the Real Estate Bubble: a House Price Index for Bilbao

A spatio-temporal model is proposed aimed at producing an index of housing prices. A hedonic model with geographically varying coefficients is coupled with a non parametric estimation of the trend, whence a price index is derived.house prices, price index, GWR, geographically weighted regression

Research on Coatings and Infiltration to Strengthen Ceramic Lost Cores Used in High-Pressure Die Casting Processes

Lost cores used to manufacture complex aluminium components through high-pressure die casting (HPDC) processes need to withstand very high injection velocities and pressures. The conventional sand cores used in other casting processes, such as sand casting or low-pressure die casting, do not support the aggressive process parameters of the HPDC, so advanced ceramic cores must be used. These cores must be strong enough not to get broken during the casting process, but, at the same time, they must have a minimum porosity to be easily removed from the casting to obtain the finished part. Due to this porosity, the aluminium penetrates the core surface during the casting process. So, the criterion here is to find the necessary compromise between strength and porosity and to protect the core surface from the aluminium penetration. In this work, two research lines have been followed to address these challenges. On the one hand, different refractory coatings have been applied to the ceramic core surface with the aim of sealing it. Amongst the coatings analysed, boron nitride-based one has been found to be the most suitable and cost-effective solution to avoid aluminium penetration. On the other hand, silica has been proved to be a suitable infiltration agent to increase the strength of the core.This work has been carried out under the framework of the CORE 4.0 project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 701197. The authors wish to show their gratitude to Rauschert Italia for manufacturing the ceramic cores and the bars, Edertek for helping with the die casting trials and machining of the samples and FerroCˇrtalicˇ for making the de-coring tests

In vivo tracking and immunological properties of pulsed porcine monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Cellular therapies using immune cells and in particular dendritic cells (DCs) are being increasingly applied in clinical trials and vaccines. Their success partially depends on accurate delivery of cells to target organs or migration to lymph nodes. Delivery and subsequent migration of cells to regional lymph nodes is essential for effective stimulation of the immune system. Thus, the design of an optimal DC therapy would be improved by optimizing technologies for monitoring DC trafficking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents a powerful tool for non-invasive imaging of DC migration in vivo. Domestic pigs share similarities with humans and represent an excellent animal model for immunological studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility using pigs as models for DC tracking in vivo. Porcine monocyte derived DC (MoDC) culture with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles was standardized on the basis of SPIO concentration and culture viability. Phenotype, cytokine production and mixed lymphocyte reaction assay confirmed that porcine SPIO-MoDC culture were similar to mock MoDCs and fully functional in vivo. Alike, similar patterns were obtained in human MoDCs. After subcutaneous inoculation in pigs, porcine SPIO-MoDC migration to regional lymph nodes was detected by MRI and confirmed by Perls staining of draining lymph nodes. Moreover, after one dose of virus-like particles-pulsed MoDCs specific local and systemic responses were confirmed using ELISPOT IFN-γ in pigs. In summary, the results in this work showed that after one single subcutaneous dose of pulsed MoDCs, pigs were able to elicit specific local and systemic immune responses. Additionally, the dynamic imaging of MRI-based DC tracking was shown using SPIO particles. This proof-of-principle study shows the potential of using pigs as a suitable animal model to test DC trafficking with the aim of improving cellular therapies.We want to thank: Ferrán López, Rosa López, Zoraida Cervera, Pamela Martinez-Orellana, Tufaria Mussá, Massimiliano Baratelli, Diego Pérez, Sergio López from CRESA and José Luis Ruiz de la Torre and Javier Aceña (UAB) for farm and technical support; Jaume Martorell (Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, UAB) for MRI support; Javier Domínguez (INIA) for the porcine antibodies; Antonio Lestuzzi, Michele Crisci and Raif Yucel for MR imaging support; Joaquim Segalés for anatomic pathology analysis; Mónica Pérez for immunohistochemical stainings; Aida Neira and Blanca Pérez for Perls staining; Eva Huerta y Marina Sibila for PCV2 PCR; David Andreu and Beatriz García de la Torre (Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona), and Esther Blanco (CISA-INIA, Madrid), for the FMDV 3A peptide; Alicia Solórzano for critically reviewing the manuscript. This work was funded by the project AGL2010-22200-C02 of Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. PhD studies of Raquel Cabezón are funded by a doctoral FI fellowship from the Generalitat de Catalunya

R&D&i Management System in Distributed Manufacturing Systems

The R&D&i has become a key strategy to ensure competitiveness in a global market. New business models and Distributed Manufacturing Systems (DMS) arise as a form of adaptive response to new market situations. Although R&D&I is incorporated at the strategic level, a lack of information about the management of R&D&I in distributed centers, theirs activities or organizational structure is detected. The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology to implement the Management System (MS) of R&D&I in a Distributed Manufacturing System and enhance the knowledge in relation to this topic. In turn, the management of these activities may differ from the existing manufacturing and their Quality Management System (QMS) so the quality will be discussed in terms of research, development and innovation.Gobierno de Andalucía (PAIDI)Unión Europe

Radiant waste heat recovery from steelmaking and glass industry

This paper tackles the problem of industrial waste heat recovery through an unexploited heat transfer mechanism: thermal radiation. Energy intensive industries have a considerable potential of unused radiant heat, which cannot be recovered through existing methods. That potential energy is quantified for the main identified industries: steel and glassmaking. Then, a radiant heat capturing device allowing high temperature heat capture is designed according to process requirements. Finally, recoverable heat is estimated and potential uses are proposed

Ileal apparent and standardized amino acid digestibility of soybean and colza meal in diets for finishing pigs

Agri-food chains generate by-products such as soybean and colza meal for animal feed. Their nutritional value is variable and should be analysed for better quality control before their inclusion in balanced diets. The objective was to determine the content and ileal apparent and standardized digestibility of protein and amino acids (AA) of soybean (PS) and colza meal (PC) as a source of protein in diets for finishing pigs. The experimental units were arranged in a 3×3 Latin square design repeated. The treatments (T) were T1: PS+corn starch, T2: PC+corn starch, and T3: corn starch (Control), which were randomly assigned to six pigs cannulated in distal ileum (PV 75±1.2 kg). The variables were contents and apparent ileal and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in soybean and colza meal. To determine digestibility, chromic oxide was added to the diets. The protein and fat contents were higher in the soybean meal. Ash, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, phosphorus and calcium contents were higher in the colza meal. Essential amino acid content was higher in soybean meal, but methionine was higher in colza meal. Apparent ileal digestibility (DIA) of total amino acids was similar (p > 0.05) among protein ingredients; but for lysine and threonine it was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in soybean meal, except methionine. Methionine DIA was 89.78 %, 3.88 % higher (p ≤ 0.05) in colza meal. Standardized ileal digestibility (DIE) of total amino acids was similar (p > 0.05) among ingredients, but lysine and threonine were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in soybean meal. DIE was different (p ≤ 0.05) among ingredients for all amino acids except methionine. Ileal and standardized digestibility of all amino acids were higher in soybean meal, except methionine, which was higher in colza meal. The DIA of total amino acids was similar in both protein ingredients, except lysine and threonine in soybean meal and methionine in colza meal

Toward Mobile Assisted Language Learning Apps for Professionals that Integrate Learning into the Daily Routine

In this short paper, we present some initial work on Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) undertaken by the ATLAS research group. ATLAS..