Bayesian and Frequentist Approaches to Hedonic Modeling in a Geo-Statistical Framework

We compare Least Squares, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian approaches to estimation in a Hedonic context. The approaches are compared from theoretical and practical perspectives and from the viewpoint of a policy maker or urban planner. The approaches are applied to data on the property market in Bogota, Colombia. We find that no approach is unambiguously better than the others and recommend that choice of estimation technique should be predicated upon the characteristics of the policy problem at hand.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Caracterización de dos arcillas colombianas por difracción de rayos X y su relación con aspectos de origen y transformación

Two natural clays extracted from soils of Colombia (department of Córdoba) were purified by means of conventional methods which include operations of mechanical separation and chemical treatments. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and elemental chemical analysis. One of these materials was identified as a smectite type clay, whereas the other material showed characteristics of aluminous vermiculite type clay. The greater sodium cations content in the first clay than in the second clay is a determining factor to explain the difference on expansion capacity between these materials. The presence of small quantities (impurities) of quartz, illite, calcite, kaolinite and the possible presence of allophonic material reveal the origin and weathering environments of the primary minerals and suggest the formation of the characterized clays from the transformation of micaceus minerals.  Dos arcillas naturales procedentes del departamento de Córdoba (Colombia) fueron purificadas mediante técnicas convencionales que incluyen separación mecánica y tratamientos químicos. Los materiales se caracterizaron por difracción de rayos X (DRX) y por análisis químico. Uno de estos materiales se identificó como una arcilla esmectítica, mientras que el otro mostró características vermiculítico-aluminosas. El mayor contenido de cationes sodio en la primera arcilla es un factor determinante que explica la mayor capacidad de expansión de este material. La presencia de pequeñas impurezas de cuarzo, illita, calcita, caolinita y posibles materiales alofánicos, reflejan los ambientes de origen y meteorización de los minerales primarios y sugieren, que la formación de las arcillas caracterizadas en el presente trabajo, fue el resultado de la transformación de minerales micáceos.   &nbsp

Caracterización de dos arcillas colombianas por difracción de rayos X y su relación con aspectos de origen y transformación

Two natural clays extracted from soils of Colombia (department of Córdoba) were purified by means of conventional methods which include operations of mechanical separation and chemical treatments. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and elemental chemical analysis. One of these materials was identified as a smectite type clay, whereas the other material showed characteristics of aluminous vermiculite type clay. The greater sodium cations content in the first clay than in the second clay is a determining factor to explain the difference on expansion capacity between these materials. The presence of small quantities (impurities) of quartz, illite, calcite, kaolinite and the possible presence of allophonic material reveal the origin and weathering environments of the primary minerals and suggest the formation of the characterized clays from the transformation of micaceus minerals.  Dos arcillas naturales procedentes del departamento de Córdoba (Colombia) fueron purificadas mediante técnicas convencionales que incluyen separación mecánica y tratamientos químicos. Los materiales se caracterizaron por difracción de rayos X (DRX) y por análisis químico. Uno de estos materiales se identificó como una arcilla esmectítica, mientras que el otro mostró características vermiculítico-aluminosas. El mayor contenido de cationes sodio en la primera arcilla es un factor determinante que explica la mayor capacidad de expansión de este material. La presencia de pequeñas impurezas de cuarzo, illita, calcita, caolinita y posibles materiales alofánicos, reflejan los ambientes de origen y meteorización de los minerales primarios y sugieren, que la formación de las arcillas caracterizadas en el presente trabajo, fue el resultado de la transformación de minerales micáceos.   &nbsp

The curvature tensor of (\ka,\mu,\nu)-contact metric manifolds

We study the Riemann curvature tensor of (\kappa,\mu,\nu)-contact metric manifolds, which we prove to be completely determined in dimension 3, and we observe how it is affected by D_a-homothetic deformations. This prompts the definition and study of generalized (\kappa,\mu,\nu)-space forms and of the necessary and sufficient conditions for them to be conformally flat

Generalized (\kappa,\mu)-space forms

Generalized (\kappa ,\mu)-space forms are introduced and studied. We examine in depth the contact metric case and present examples for all possible dimensions. We also analyse the trans-Sasakian case.Comment: 20 pages, several changes have been done in this versio

Variaciones diarias en la expresión de las isoformas de GPDH en músculo de vuelo de Triatoma infestans

1 p.Triatoma infestans (T. infestans), principal vector de la enfermedad de Chagas, es un insecto hematófago con cinco estadios ninfales. En adultos el vuelo es importante para la dispersión y la re-infestación de viviendas pos-fumigación. La enzima glicerol-3-fosfato deshidrogenasa (GPDH) es clave en el metabolismo del vuelo. La GPDH-1 está involucrada en la lanzadera glicerofosfato y GPDH-2 provee precursores para la biosíntesis de lípidos. Las isoformas de GPDH exhiben un patrón de expresión temporal, tejido-específico y diferenciado por sexo, que cambia en relación a la temperatura y la cantidad de ingesta en el músculo de vuelo. En este trabajo, analizamos los niveles de los transcriptos de GPDH en músculo de vuelo de adultos de T. infestans sometidos a 12 hs luz: 12 hs oscuridad. Mediante la técnica de RT-PCR semicuantitativa demostramos que la expresión de los transcriptos presenta variaciones a lo largo del día y según el sexo. En hembras y machos a las 8 hs no se encuentran transcriptos de las isoformas. En hembras, el transcripto GPDH-1 se encuentra a las 0 hs, 4 hs, 12 hs, 16 hs y 20 hs y el transcripto de GPDH-2 sólo a las 12 hs y 20 hs. En machos sólo se encuentra el transcripto de GPDH-1 a las 0 hs y no se encuentra el transcripto de GPDH-2. Estos resultados muestran variaciones diarias en los niveles de expresión de los transcriptos de GPDH que podrían corresponder a un ritmo circadiano.Fil: Stroppa, María Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencia Médicas. Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Argentina.Fil: Lagunas, Mariana S. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Argentina.Fil: Carriazo, Carlota S. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencia Médicas. Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Argentina.Fil: García, Beatriz A. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencia Médicas. Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Argentina.Fil: Nelia, Gerez de Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencia Médicas. Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Argentina.Fil: Stroppa, María Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Lagunas, Mariana S. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Carriazo, Carlota S. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: García, Beatriz A. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Nelia, Geréz de Burgos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Genética y Herencia (Genética Médica va en 3 "Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud”

ARHGEF18/p114RhoGEF coordinates PKA/CREB signalling and actomyosin remodelling to promote trophoblast cell-cell fusion during placenta morphogenesis

Coordination of cell-cell adhesion, actomyosin dynamics and gene expression is crucial for morphogenetic processes underlying tissue and organ development. Rho GTPases are main regulators of the cytoskeleton and adhesion. They are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. However, the roles of these Rho GTPase activators during complex developmental processes are still poorly understood. ARHGEF18/p114RhoGEF is a tight junction-associated RhoA activator that forms complexes with myosin II, and regulates actomyosin contractility. Here we show that p114RhoGEF/ARHGEF18 is required for mouse syncytiotrophoblast differentiation and placenta development. In vitro and in vivo experiments identify that p114RhoGEF controls expression of AKAP12, a protein regulating protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, and is required for PKA-induced actomyosin remodeling, cAMPresponsive element binding protein (CREB)-driven gene expression of proteins required for trophoblast differentiation, and, hence, trophoblast cell-cell fusion. Our data thus indicate that p114RhoGEF links actomyosin dynamics and cell-cell junctions to PKA/CREB signaling, gene expression and cell-cell fusion

Chronic kidney disease and neurological disorders: are uraemic toxins the missing piece of the puzzle?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) perturbs the crosstalk with others organs, with the interaction between the kidneys and the heart having been studied most intensively. However, a growing body of data indicates that there is an association between kidney dysfunction and disorders of the central nervous system. In epidemiological studies, CKD is associated with a high prevalence of neurological complications, such as cerebrovascular disorders, movement disorders, cognitive impairment and depression. Along with traditional cardiovascular risk factors (such as diabetes, inflammation, hypertension and dyslipidaemia), non-traditional risk factors related to kidney damage (such as uraemic toxins) may predispose patients with CKD to neurological disorders. There is increasing evidence to show that uraemic toxins, for example indoxyl sulphate, have a neurotoxic effect. A better understanding of factors responsible for the elevated prevalence of neurological disorders among patients with CKD might facilitate the development of novel treatments. Here, we review (i) the potential clinical impact of CKD on cerebrovascular and neurological complications, (ii) the mechanisms underlying the uraemic toxins' putative action (based on pre-clinical and clinical research) and (iii) the potential impact of these findings on patient care

Transitional palliative care interventions for older adults with advanced non-malignant diseases and frailty: a systematic review

Purpose: To identify transitional palliative care (TPC) interventions for older adults with non-malignant chronic diseases and complex conditions. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review of the literature was conducted. CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase and Pubmed databases were searched for studies reporting TPC interventions for older adults, published between 2002 and 2019. The Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality appraisal. Findings: A total of six studies were included. Outcomes related to TPC interventions were grouped into three categories: healthcare system-related outcomes (rehospitalisation, length of stay [LOS] and emergency department [ED] visits), patient-related outcomes and family/carer important outcomes. Overall, TPC interventions were associated with lower readmission rates and LOS, improved quality of life and better decision-making concerning hospice care among families. Outcomes for ED visits were unclear. Research limitations/implications: Positive outcomes related to healthcare services (including readmissions and LOS), patients (quality of life) and families (decision-making) were reported. However, the number of studies supporting the evidence were limited. Originality/value: Studies examining the effectiveness of existing care models to support transitions for those in need of palliative care are limited. This systematic literature review identified and appraised interventions aimed at improving transitions to palliative care in older adults with advanced non-malignant diseases or frailty

Cognitive disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease: specificities of clinical assessment

Neurocognitive disorders are frequent among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Identifying and characterizing cognitive impairment (CI) can help to assess the ability of adherence to CKD risk reduction strategy, identify potentially reversible causes of cognitive decline, modify pharmacotherapy, educate the patient and caregiver and provide appropriate patient and caregiver support. Numerous factors are associated with the development and progression of CI in CKD patients and various conditions can influence the results of cognitive assessment in these patients. Here we review clinical warning signs that should lead to cognitive screening; conditions frequent in CKD at risk to interfere with cognitive testing or performance, including specificities of cognitive assessment in dialysis patients or after kidney transplantation; and available tests for screening and observed cognitive patterns in CKD patients