The U.S. retail payments system in transition : Federal Reserve initiatives

This article explores the changing landscape of U.S. retail payments: trends, the Fed's role, and the future of payments.Payment systems ; Federal Reserve System

Interchange fees in credit and debit card markets : what role for public authorities

Credit and especially debit card transactions are on the rise worldwide. Interchange fees are an integral part of the pricing structure of credit and debit card transactions. Indirectly paid by merchants to card issuers, interchange fees in most countries are set by credit and debit card networks. But in one country, Australia, the central bank is regulating interchange fees, and in several other countries and areas, including the European Union, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom, public officials are taking, or considering taking, a more hands-on regulatory stance. In the United States, it is largely the court system that is debating interchange issues. ; The payments industry has a strong vested interest in interchange fees. They are a major portion of costs that merchants pay for processing debit and credit card payments and are a major source of revenue for banks that issue the cards. One reason for recent interest in interchange fees in the United States is a shift in retail payments away from checks. Research sponsored by the Federal Reserve documents a rise in electronic payments and a decline in the use of paper checks, with a milestone recently passed where the majority of noncash payments are now made using electronic instruments. This shift is also occurring in other countries. Since paper checks typically do not have an interchange fee while credit and debit payments do, the shift is a major reason why merchants face a rapidly rising cost of processing payments. Card issuers, on the other hand, rely on associated revenues to provide a return to their substantial investment in card payment networks. ; Pacheco and Sullivan summarize the proceedings of a conference sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in May 2005, which explored issues surrounding interchange fees. The conference brought together a distinguished group of industry participants, antitrust authorities, central bankers, and academics.Credit cards ; Debit cards ; Payment systems

Morphology and vocalization support specific status of the Chestnut-headed Chachalaca, Ortalis motmot ruficeps (Wagler, 1830) (Aves; Galliformes; Cracidae)

The Little Chachalaca (Ortalis motmot) is a widely distributed species in the Amazon basin, typically found in riverine habitats. There are two disjunct populations: the northern O. m. motmot and the southern O. m. ruficeps (known as Chestnut-headed Chachalaca). Here we performed a vocal, morphological and plumage comparison between these two taxa. Birds present differences in tail coloration but are otherwise undiagnosable in terms of plumage. Ortalis m. ruficeps is, however, markedly smaller and lighter than O. m. motmot, with no overlap in size or weight. We also found vocal differences between O. m. motmot and O. m. ruficeps, no overlap in geographic distributions and no signs of hybridization across its range. Based on the available data, Ortalis m. ruficeps thus must be considered a valid species, endemic to Brazil

Weighted metrics are required when evaluating the performance of prediction models in nested case–control studies

Background: Nested case–control (NCC) designs are efficient for developing and validating prediction models that use expensive or difficult-to-obtain predictors, especially when the outcome is rare. Previous research has focused on how to develop prediction models in this sampling design, but little attention has been given to model validation in this context. We therefore aimed to systematically characterize the key elements for the correct evaluation of the performance of prediction models in NCC data. Methods: We proposed how to correctly evaluate prediction models in NCC data, by adjusting performance metrics with sampling weights to account for the NCC sampling. We included in this study the C-index, threshold-based metrics, Observed-to-expected events ratio (O/E ratio), calibration slope, and decision curve analysis. We illustrated the proposed metrics with a validation of the Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm (BOADICEA version 5) in data from the population-based Rotterdam study. We compared the metrics obtained in the full cohort with those obtained in NCC datasets sampled from the Rotterdam study, with and without a matched design. Results: Performance metrics without weight adjustment were biased: the unweighted C-index in NCC datasets was 0.61 (0.58–0.63) for the unmatched design, while the C-index in the full cohort and the weighted C-index in the NCC datasets were similar: 0.65 (0.62–0.69) and 0.65 (0.61–0.69), respectively. The unweighted O/E ratio was 18.38 (17.67–19.06) in the NCC datasets, while it was 1.69 (1.42–1.93) in the full cohort and its weighted version in the NCC datasets was 1.68 (1.53–1.84). Similarly, weighted adjustments of threshold-based metrics and net benefit for decision curves were unbiased estimates of the corresponding metrics in the full cohort, while the corresponding unweighted metrics were biased. In the matched design, the bias of the unweighted metrics was larger, but it could also be compensated by the weight adjustment. Conclusions: Nested case–control studies are an efficient solution for evaluating the performance of prediction models that use expensive or difficult-to-obtain biomarkers, especially when the outcome is rare, but the performance metrics need to be adjusted to the sampling procedure.</p

Technical and environmental assessment of coated urea production with a natural polymeric suspension in spouted bed to reduce nitrogen losses

Urea is the most used nitrogen fertilizer in the world, but should be supplied to the plants in a controlled way to make it as efficient as possible. Otherwise, nitrogen losses due to volatilization and leaching can reach up to 70%. The production of coated urea with slow-release polymers can be a good alternative not just to reduce the nitrogen losses but also to avoid the greenhouse gases emissions related to the high consumption of this fertilizer. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the technical and environmental aspects of coated urea production in a spouted bed to control the nitrogen volatilization. The influence of the operating conditions in the coating performance was evaluated using a central composite rotational design and the environmental performance was determined using a life cycle assessment. The coating performance results showed that coated urea particle growth ranged from 0.8 to 4.4%, the coating efficiency presented results between 17 and 47% and the nitrogen volatilization reduction was significant (11–50%). The highest nitrogen volatilization reduction was obtained for suspension flow rate equal to 15 mL/min and air temperature equal to 85 °C. The daily volatilized nitrogen release profile and the microscopic analysis showed that the coating film was effective in controlling nitrogen release contained within the particle. The environmental analyses demonstrated that coated urea had a lower impact than uncoated, for most of the impact categories under study, indicating that the coating process is also appropriate to reduce the environmental impacts of urea fertilization.publishe

Trypanosoma brucei triggers a broad immune response in the adipose tissue

Copyright: © 2021 Machado et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Adipose tissue is one of the major reservoirs of Trypanosoma brucei parasites, the causative agent of sleeping sickness, a fatal disease in humans. In mice, the gonadal adipose tissue (AT) typically harbors 2-5 million parasites, while most solid organs show 10 to 100-fold fewer parasites. In this study, we tested whether the AT environment responds immunologically to the presence of the parasite. Transcriptome analysis of T. brucei infected adipose tissue revealed that most upregulated host genes are involved in inflammation and immune cell functions. Histochemistry and flow cytometry confirmed an increasingly higher number of infiltrated macrophages, neutrophils and CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes upon infection. A large proportion of these lymphocytes effectively produce the type 1 effector cytokines, IFN-γ and TNF-α. Additionally, the adipose tissue showed accumulation of antigen-specific IgM and IgG antibodies as infection progressed. Mice lacking T and/or B cells (Rag2-/-, Jht-/-), or the signature cytokine (Ifng-/-) displayed a higher parasite load both in circulation and in the AT, demonstrating the key role of the adaptive immune system in both compartments. Interestingly, infections of C3-/- mice showed that while complement system is dispensable to control parasite load in the blood, it is necessary in the AT and other solid tissues. We conclude that T. brucei infection triggers a broad and robust immune response in the AT, which requires the complement system to locally reduce parasite burden.This work was supported by the European Research Council (FatTryp, ref. 771714) awarded to LMF, by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (CEECIND/03322/2018) awarded to LMF, (PTDC/MED-IMU/30948/2017 and CEECIND/00697/2018) awarded to KS, (PD/BD/128286/2017) awarded to HM, (SFRH/BPD/89833/2012) awarded to ST, (IMM/BI/83-2017 through PTDC/BIM-MET/4471/2014) awarded to TB-R and by the National Institutes of Health (NIGMS K99GM132557) awarded to FR-F. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análisis del comportamiento de compra de la consumidora de Topitop de Lima Norte entre 18 y 25 años a través del modelo de Schiffman y Kanuk

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo general analizar el comportamiento de compra de la consumidora de Topitop de Lima Norte entre 18 y 25 años, con la finalidad de que sirva como base y referencia para establecer sus características en función a las variables del marketing mix, los factores del ambiente sociocultural, psicológicos y del proceso de compra. Para lograrlo, se utilizó el modelo de comportamiento de compra propuesto por Schiffman y Kanuk (2010). Esta investigación exploratoria no experimental se realizó a través de un estudio cualitativo, en el que participaron mujeres que compran, al menos una vez al mes, en las tiendas Topitop de Lima Norte. El trabajo de campo se realizó, en dos fases, entre agosto de 2016 y julio de 2018. La primera incluyó a compradoras entre 18 y 35 años de las tiendas de Lima; y la segunda se enfocó en el segmento de 18 a 25 años de Lima Norte. Las herramientas empleadas para el presente estudio fueron observaciones participantes, entrevistas a profundidad tanto a clientas como a expertos y grupos de enfoque con consumidoras. Entre los principales hallazgos encontramos que la consumidora de Topitop entre 18 y 25 años, es seguidora de la moda y que las subvariables más influyentes para comprar en Topitop son el precio, el cual es menor en comparación a otras tiendas, el producto ya que este cumple con las expectativas de la consumidora, y la plaza, debido a la cercanía de ésta a los centros de trabajo, estudio y de residencia. Además, los grupos de referencia y las fuentes no comerciales son las subvariables más influyentes en el desarrollo del estilo de vestir pues la consumidora aprende de estos y busca reafirmar su propio estilo con los mismos. Asimismo, presenta tres clases de estilos dependiendo de su personalidad, los cuales son el estilo casual, el estilo casualformal y el estilo formal-clásico. Por otro lado, la actitud de la consumidora refleja que está aprendiendo constantemente tanto de sus grupos de referencia como de las fuentes no comerciales para mostrar su propio estilo de vestir. Finalmente, el comportamiento de compra de la consumidora muestra que esta puede comprar ropa espontáneamente o con una previa planeación. Como complemento, se empleó la herramienta FODA para establecer algunas estrategias que puedan ayudar a reforzar las fortalezas y a superar las debilidades de Topitop en su relación con la consumidora investigada. Así se identificaron oportunidades de mejora para Topitop enfocadas en el marketing mix como: hacer el ambiente físico más atractivo para la consumidora, intensificar la publicidad en las redes sociales y crear una plataforma virtual donde esta pueda comprar las prendas de ropa.Tesi

Diagnósticos de enfermagem de paciente submetido à transplante de medula óssea alogênico: estudo de caso

This case study aims at presenting the follow-up of a patient who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and the experience of the nursing team of the Centro de Transplante de Medula Óssea (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center) at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, during the development of the systematization of the nurse practice emphasizing the period of elaboration of the nursing diagnosis. Twenty-six diagnosis established in this case are discussed and put together in the format of a table to allow the reader to have a view of their initial and ending periods, during the in-patient treatment time.El presente estudio de caso busca retratar el acompañamiento de un paciente sometido a trasplante de médula ósea alogénico y la experiencia de los enfermeros del Centro de Transplante de Medula Óssea del Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre en la implantación de la sistematización de la asistencia de enfermería con énfasis en la fase de elaboración de los diagnósticos de enfermería. Son discutidos los veintiséis diagnósticos de enfermería establecidos en este caso y agrupados en forma de cuadros para permitirle al lector una visualización de los períodos del inicio y de la resolución de los mismos, durante el período de internación hospitalaria.O presente estudo de caso busca retratar o acompanhamento de um paciente submetido à transplante de medula óssea alogênico e a experiência dos enfermeiros do Centro de Transplante de Medula Óssea do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre na implantação da sistematização da assistência de enfermagem com ênfase na fase de elaboração dos diagnósticos de enfermagem. São discutidos os vinte e seis diagnósticos de enfermagem estabelecidos neste caso e agrupados em forma de quadro para permitir ao leitor uma visualização dos períodos de início e resolução dos mesmos, durante o período de internação hospitalar

O atendimento médico de pacientes surdas: uma revisão integrativa

A Lei Federal nº 10.436/2002 reconhece a Língua Brasileira de Sinais (Libras) como a primeira língua dos surdos e estabelece que eles têm direito a serem atendidos por profissionais capacitados em Libras. Estudos revelam que os surdos enfrentam dificuldades no atendimento médico, como medo, desconfiança e frustração, devido à falta de preparo dos profissionais de saúde para cuidar de pacientes surdos. A falta de conhecimento e habilidades em Libras por parte dos médicos compromete a qualidade do atendimento. Dessa forma, o objetivo da pesquisa é realizar uma revisão integrativa de literatura sobre a relação entre médicos e pacientes surdas do sexo feminino. A revisão integrativa de literatura de abordagem qualitativa, foi realizada nos bancos de dados, da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO) e Portal de Periódico da CAPES. Foram analisados seis artigos. Os resultados evidenciaram que a principal barreiras na assistência médica durante o ciclo gravídico-puerperal de mulheres surdas, é a falta de acessibilidade e comunicação. Este estudo ressalta a urgência de transformar a forma como os profissionais de saúde interagem com pacientes surdos. A comunicação eficaz, o respeito aos direitos e a compreensão das barreiras enfrentadas por essa comunidade são fundamentais para garantir um atendimento inclusivo e de alta qualidade

Tuberculose extrapulmonar ou sarcoidose associada a tuberculose? Relato de caso

Objectives: The present report aims to discuss the differential diagnosis between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. Case description: The case of a 25-year-old male patient who developed granulomatous arthritis and osteomyelitis with nonnecrotizing granulomatous inflammation suggesting a sarcoidosis. Twenty-four months before this report, he had positive laboratory results to pulmonary tuberculosis, however, he was not treated. Conclusion: This case report demonstrates how necessary is the follow-up of patient after the performance of a diagnostic testing to tuberculosis, and the challenge to confirm a diagnosis of sarcoidosis in a patient with tuberculosis.Objetivos: El presente relato tiene como objetivo discutir el diagnóstico diferencial entre tuberculosis y sarcoidosis. Descripción del caso: Caso de un paciente del sexo masculino, 25 años, que desarrolló artritis granulomatosa y osteomielitis con inflamación granulomatosa no caseosa sugestiva de sarcoidosis. Veinticuatro meses antes de ese relato, el paciente tuvo resultados de laboratorio positivos para la tuberculosis pulmonar, por lo que no fue tratado. Conclusión: Demostramos cómo es necesario el acompañamiento del paciente después de la realización de una prueba diagnóstica para tuberculosis y el desafío de confirmar un diagnóstico de sarcoidosis en un paciente con tuberculosis.Objetivos: O presente relato tem como objetivo discutir o diagnostico diferencial entre tuberculose e sarcoidose. Descrição do caso: Caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 25 anos, que desenvolveu artrite granulomatosa e osteomielite com inflamação granulomatosa não caseosa sugestiva de sarcoidose. Vinte e quatro meses antes desse relato, o paciente teve resultados laboratoriais positivos para tuberculose pulmonar, no entando, não foi tratado. Conclusão: Demonstramos como é necessário o acompanhamento do paciente após a realização de um teste diagnóstico para tuberculose e o desafio de confirmar um diagnóstico de sarcoidose em um paciente com tuberculose