The Agents-are-Substitutes Property in Continuous Generalized Assignment Problems

The VCG mechanism has some nice properties if the agents-are-substitutes property holds.For example, for combinatorial auctions the property assures that the VCG mechanism is supported by a pricing equilibrium. The existence of such a pricing equilibrium is a necessary condition for the existence of ascending auctions that are equivalent to the VCG mechanism.Although it is known that the agents-are-substitutes property is important in several settings few problems or subclasses of problems are proven to have the property.In this paper we show for a class of problems that the agents-are-substitutes property holds. Moreover we give two rather natural and small extensions that do not have this property in general.Furthermore we show that in our simple problem class we need the possibility of price discrimination.operations research and management science;

Adding a subjective dimension to an ICF-based disability measure for people with multiple sclerosis: development and use of a measure for perception of disabilities

OBJECTIVE: The subjective dimension of disability, the perception of disability, is a dimension missing from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and from health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments. However, it is a highly relevant dimension for clinical practice as perceived disability may identify care needs. We therefore developed a measure for this subjective dimension of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) and examined the contribution of this dimension to QOL. METHOD: A measure named the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Profile-Disability Perception (MSIP-DP) was developed to reflect a person's perception of disabilities reported using the original MSIP-disability (MSIP-D) items. MS patients (n=530) completed both MSIP sections, the medical outcome study short form questionnaire (SF-36), the World Health Organisation Quality Of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and questions concerning disease severity. The contribution of disability perception (DP) to QOL in MS was estimated using hierarchical multiple regression analyses after controlling for MS severity. RESULTS: Confirmative factor analysis confirmed the hypothesised disability perception domains that correspond with the related disability domains in the MSIP. DP scales yielded sufficient reliability. DP explained a unique and substantial part of the variance in QOL, particularly the perception of impairments in mental functions. DISCUSSION: Results indicated that the subjective dimension of functioning and health operationalised in the MSIP-DP is a relevant concept in explaining QOL in MS. In clinical practice psychological interventions addressing a patient's perception of disability, particularly of impairments in mental functioning, may contribute to QOL

Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory

Bringing together the key ideas from nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and powerful methodology from quantum field theory, this 2008 book captures the essence of nonequilibrium quantum field theory. Beginning with the foundational aspects of the theory, the book presents important concepts and useful techniques, discusses issues of basic interest, and shows how thermal field, linear response, kinetic theories and hydrodynamics emerge. It also illustrates how these concepts are applied to research topics including nonequilibrium phase transitions, thermalization in relativistic heavy ion collisions, the nonequilibrium dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensation, and the generation of structures from quantum fluctuations in the early Universe. This self-contained book is a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in particle physics, gravitation, cosmology, atomic-optical and condensed matter physics. It has been reissued as an Open Access publication

Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory

Bringing together the key ideas from nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and powerful methodology from quantum field theory, this 2008 book captures the essence of nonequilibrium quantum field theory. Beginning with the foundational aspects of the theory, the book presents important concepts and useful techniques, discusses issues of basic interest, and shows how thermal field, linear response, kinetic theories and hydrodynamics emerge. It also illustrates how these concepts are applied to research topics including nonequilibrium phase transitions, thermalization in relativistic heavy ion collisions, the nonequilibrium dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensation, and the generation of structures from quantum fluctuations in the early Universe. This self-contained book is a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in particle physics, gravitation, cosmology, atomic-optical and condensed matter physics. It has been reissued as an Open Access publication

Optimizing medication management for patients with cirrhosis: Evidence‐based strategies and their outcomes

Cirrhosis is a morbid condition associated with frequent hospitalizations and high mortality. Management of cirrhosis requires complex medication regimens to treat underlying liver disease, complications of cirrhosis and comorbid conditions. This review examines the complexities of medication management in cirrhosis, barriers to optimal medication use, and potential interventions to streamline medication regimens and avoid medication errors. A literature review was performed by searching PUBMED through December 2017 and article reference lists to identify articles relevant to medication management, complications, adherence, and interventions to improve medication use in cirrhosis. The structural barriers in cirrhosis include sheer medication complexity related to the number of medications and potential for cognitive impairment in this population, faulty medication reconciliation and limited adherence. Tested interventions have included patient self‐education, provider driven patient education, intensive case management including medication blister packs and smartphone applications. Initiatives are needed to improve patient, caregiver and provider education on appropriate use of medications in patients with cirrhosis. A multidisciplinary team should be established to coordinate care with close monitoring, address patient and caregiver concerns, and to provide timely access to outpatient evaluation of urgent/complex issues. Future studies evaluating the clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness of interventions are needed.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146454/1/liv13892_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146454/2/liv13892.pd

The prevalence of insomnia in the general population in China: A meta-analysis

This is the first meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of insomnia in the general population of China. A systematic literature search was conducted via the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Interne (CNKI), WanFang Data and SinoMed). Statistical analyses were performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program. A total of 17 studies with 115,988 participants met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The pooled prevalence of insomnia in China was 15.0% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 12.1%-18.5%). No significant difference was found in the prevalence between genders or across time period. The pooled prevalence of insomnia in population with a mean age of 43.7 years and older (11.6%; 95% CI: 7.5%-17.6%) was significantly lower than in those with a mean age younger than 43.7 years (20.4%; 95% CI: 14.2%-28.2%). The prevalence of insomnia was significantly affected by the type of assessment tools (Q = 14.1, P = 0.001). The general population prevalence of insomnia in China is lower than those reported in Western countries but similar to those in Asian countries. Younger Chinese adults appear to suffer from more insomnia than older adults

Acceptance and use of a smartphone application in cirrhosis

Background and AimsThe development of cirrhosis‐related smartphone applications for remote monitoring is increasing. Whether patients with cirrhosis will welcome such new technology, however, is uncertain.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled patients with cirrhosis (N = 102) to determine predictors of acceptance and utilization of a smartphone application for cirrhosis management using a 12‐item Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) survey. Patients were then shown the EncephalApp© and evaluated for their willingness to download and use the application.ResultsPatients had a median age of 61.3 years and 63.7% had a history of hepatic decompensation. Intention to use the hypothetical application was associated with perceived usefulness (β: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3‐0.5) and the presence of a caregiver (β: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.2‐2.0). Of the eligible participants, 71% agreed to download the EncephalApp© and the decision was influenced by computer anxiety, behavioural intent, caregiver presence and disease state factors. Actual usage was 32% and not associated with baseline characteristics or the technology acceptance model.ConclusionsPatient acceptance of smartphone applications for the management of cirrhosis is high and related to their attitudes towards technology and the presence of a caregiver. However, usage was low. Future research must employ behavioural interventions to optimize uptake and utilization of remote monitoring technology.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155977/1/liv14494_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155977/2/liv14494.pd

Development of an integrated grating and slicing machine for starchy vegetables

Processed foods usually undergo one or several unit food processing operations before becoming the final products. Many food processing equipments were developed to perform more than one operation in food processing by providing practical purposes that further enhance their performance. However, conventional processes of grating and slicing that produce grated and sliced food products normally involved two units of independent operation machines. Therefore in this study, grating and slicing processes have been combined into a single operation through an integrated machine for simultaneous grating and slicing operations. The purpose of integrating both grating and slicing processes is to increase productivity through the reduction of cost, time and the number of unit operations, which are involved in the processing system of grating and slicing production. The machine’s design specifications were identified to ensure that simultaneous grating and slicing operations in an integrated machine are capable to process the raw materials (starchy vegetables) simultaneously for grated and sliced outputs. A final machine design was generated by following a product development process as the research method. The design process steps starts from planning, concept development, detail design and machine fabrication, testing and refinement. The final design of the machine (at present) shows that it is suitable for use in industrial processing level which the output rate is powered at 750 W with variable speed of 0 – 180 rpm, grated and sliced production range of 750 – 1200 kg/h and 250– 400 kg/h, respectively. This newly designed machine is easy to setup, handle, store, clean, service and maintain. The design of an integrated grating and slicing machine will express a better understanding on the machine capability to reduce cost and energy for simultaneous grating and slicing processes with increased productivity

Frailty, Psychoactive Medications, and Cognitive Dysfunction Are Associated With Poor Patient‐Reported Outcomes in Cirrhosis

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148384/1/hep30336-sup-0001-Supinfo.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148384/2/hep30336_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148384/3/hep30336.pd