Reassessing Quasi-Experiments: Policy Evaluation, Induction, and SUTVA

This paper defends the use of quasi-experiments for causal estimation in economics against the widespread objection that quasi-experimental estimates lack external validity. The defence is that quasi-experimental replication of estimates can yield defeasible evidence for external validity. The paper then develops a different objection. The stable unit treatment value assumption (SUTVA), on which quasi-experiments rely, is argued to be implausible due to the influence of social interaction effects on economic outcomes. A more plausible stable marginal unit treatment value assumption (SMUTVA) is proposed, but it is demonstrated to severely limit the usefulness of quasi-experiments for economic policy evaluation

Control of bovine Pyruvate Carboxylase Expression by Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Impact on Fatty Acid Metabolism

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC; EC 6.4.1.1) ostensibly links carbohydrate and lipid metabolism by supplying oxaloacetate (OAA) from the carboxylation of pyruvate. The OAA pool is necessary in maintaining the anaplerotic supply of carbons to the TCA cycle, and to promote the complete oxidation, to CO2, of acetyl-CoA. The actions of PC in supplying OAA are critical during periods of increased cellular lipid load, including the negative energy balance experienced by periparturient dairy cows. The bovine PC gene contains three promoter sequences, with products of the proximal promoter (PCP1) being specific to glucogenic and lipogenic tissues. Previous work links control of bovine PC mRNA expression to nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), but the direct effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on PC mRNA expression and subsequent fatty acid metabolism were unclear. The central hypothesis of this dissertation is that the ratio of the most prevalent circulating saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in dairy cows regulates PC flux and subsequent fatty acid metabolism. The objectives of this dissertation were, first, to evaluate the response of PC mRNA to the copresence of the most abundant circulating saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in periparturient dairy cows. Second, to determine the direct effects of these saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and their combinations, on the cellular oxidation of fatty acids, and the potential relationship to PC, and third, to examine the effects of the copresence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on the transcriptional activity of bovine PCP1

Assessing the Use of Pre-Treatment Medications in the Management of Infusion-Related Reactions in an Outpatient Infusion Center

Introduction Infusion-related reactions (IRRs) are well-known adverse drug reactions of many biological agents and antineoplastic medications While typically mild-to-moderate in intensity, IRRs can be severe, with potentially life-threatening consequences requiring urgent interventions Appropriate use of pre-treatment medications, such as corticosteroids, antihistamines, intravenous fluids, and antiemetics reduces the incidence and severity of IRRs Purpose Evaluate the use of pre-treatment medications in patients with experienced IRRs at an outpatient infusion center Identify opportunities to improve treatment plans and reduce the occurrence of IRRshttps://digitalcommons.centracare.com/pharmacy_posters/1009/thumbnail.jp

Reassessing Quasi-Experiments: Policy Evaluation, Induction, and SUTVA

This paper defends the use of quasi-experiments for causal estimation in economics against the widespread objection that quasi-experimental estimates lack external validity. The defence is that quasi-experimental replication of estimates can yield defeasible evidence for external validity. The paper then develops a different objection. The stable unit treatment value assumption (SUTVA), on which quasi-experiments rely, is argued to be implausible due to the influence of social interaction effects on economic outcomes. A more plausible stable marginal unit treatment value assumption (SMUTVA) is proposed, but it is demonstrated to severely limit the usefulness of quasi-experiments for economic policy evaluation

Integrating Cooperative Learning in the Classroom

This inquiry is a collaborative study of the benefits of integrating cooperative learning into the classroom. Specifically, we attempt to answer the following questions: 1) How can we effectively integrate cooperative learning into the classroom? 2) In what ways will cooperative learning benefit the students in our classroom? In our inquiry, we discuss the three types of cooperative learning: partner work, group work, and whole class collaboration, which we implemented in the classroom. We used lesson, plans, field notes, reflections, photographs, student work, and literature to support our inquiry. We analyzed our data to determine the benefits as well as limitations of using cooperative learning in the classroom. We address how this inquiry has influenced our teaching philosophies and how it will impact our future classroom practices

Reassessing Quasi-Experiments: Policy Evaluation, Induction, and SUTVA

This paper defends the use of quasi-experiments for causal estimation in economics against the widespread objection that quasi-experimental estimates lack external validity. The defence is that quasi-experimental replication of estimates can yield defeasible evidence for external validity. The paper then develops a different objection. The stable unit treatment value assumption (SUTVA), on which quasi-experiments rely, is argued to be implausible due to the influence of social interaction effects on economic outcomes. A more plausible stable marginal unit treatment value assumption (SMUTVA) is proposed, but it is demonstrated to severely limit the usefulness of quasi-experiments for economic policy evaluation

Diseño de investigación para la evaluación de impacto ambiental y económico de vehículos motorizados a base de biocombustibles vs. energía eléctrica en Guatemala

Presenta el análisis comparativo sobre el impacto ambiental y económico que tienen vehículos eléctricos, así como la implementación de los biocombustibles en Guatemala

‘I knew which one I wanted’: Interviews with Illinois patients to explore abortion method decision-making after insurance expansion

Introduction: To understand patient preferences around early abortion methods and care-seeking during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in a state that expanded insurance coverage for abortion care. Methods: We conducted phone interviews between July 2021 and February 2022 with 50 Illinois residents (aged 18–45) who had recently sought abortion at 18 clinics throughout Illinois at or before 11 weeks of pregnancy. We used a semistructured interview guide to explore preferences, motivations and decision-making around the abortion method. We coded transcripts and used code summaries to conduct a thematic content analysis. Results: Half of the participants chose medication abortion, and half chose procedural abortion. Some participants relied upon their past abortion experiences to choose a method. Participants' reasons for choosing medication abortion included home setting with support persons, the noninvasive nature, desiring a more ‘natural’ experience or negative perceptions of procedural abortions. Participants choosing procedural abortions valued increased certainty of completion, the option of sedation and the defined timeline of a clinic visit with fewer physical side effects. Some participants without insurance coverage were motivated to select a method based on cost. Around half of the participants expressed interest in considering a telehealth abortion. Conclusions: Patients cited complex and personal preferences influencing their method selection; when cost barriers were reduced, preferences centred physical or emotional experiences, setting, effectiveness and timing. As abortion access is increasingly restricted, many patients may still highly value a choice between medication and procedural abortion when possible.</p

Development of chemical proteomics for the folateome and analysis of the kinetoplastid folateome

The folate pathway has been extensively studied in a number of organisms, with its essentiality exploited by a number of drugs. However, there has been little success in developing drugs that target folate metabolism in the kinetoplastids. Despite compounds being identified which show significant inhibition of the parasite enzymes, this activity does not translate well into cellular and animal models of disease. Understanding to which enzymes antifolates bind under physiological conditions and how this corresponds to the phenotypic response could provide insight on how to target the folate pathway in these organisms. To facilitate this, we have adopted a chemical proteomics approach to study binding of compounds to enzymes of folate metabolism. Clinical and literature antifolate compounds were immobilized onto resins to allow for “pull down” of the proteins in the “folateome”. Using competition studies, proteins, which bind the beads specifically and nonspecifically, were identified in parasite lysate (Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major) for each antifolate compound. Proteins were identified through tryptic digest, tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling of peptides followed by LC-MS/MS. This approach was further exploited by creating a combined folate resin (folate beads). The resin could pull down up to 9 proteins from the folateome. This information could be exploited in gaining a better understanding of folate metabolism in kinetoplastids and other organisms