A General Solution for Linear Decision Rules: An Optimal Dynamic Strategy Applicable Under Uncertainty

Linear decision rules for controlling complex systems are often obtained by matrix inversion, but transform methods offer an alternative approach that yields insights into the structure of the decision problem of maximizing expected payoffs under constraints

A General Solution for Linear Decision Rules: An Optimal Dynamic Strategy Applicable Under Uncertainty

Linear decision rules for controlling complex systems are often obtained by matrix inversion, but transform methods offer an alternative approach that yields insights into the structure of the decision problem of maximizing expected payoffs under constraints

Downward shortwave surface irradiance from 17 sites for the FIRE/SRB Wisconsin experiment

A field experiment was conducted in Wisconsin during Oct. to Nov. 1986 for purposes of both intensive cirrus cloud measurments and SRB algorithm validation activities. The cirrus cloud measurements were part of the FIRE. Tables are presented which show data from 17 sites in the First ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) Regional Experiment/Surface Radiation Budget (FIRE/SRB) Wisconsin experiment region. A discussion of intercomparison results and calibration inconsistencies is also included

Demonstration: Economic Analysis and Expert Testimony—Plaintiff\u27s Conference

This article is a demonstration on the use of economic experts. The demonstration is based loosely on Mobil’s attempted take-over of Marathon Oil Company. However, the oil companies involved here are named Major, which is the second largest oil company in the United States, and Olympic, which is the largest supplier to independents. Any resemblance of Major and Olympic to any other firm, entity or person, living or not, is purely coincidental. The demonstration is divided into two parts. The first part is the conference. A conference of plaintiff’s team will be followed by a conference of defendant’s team

Demonstration: Economic Analysis and Expert Testimony—Plaintiff\u27s Conference

This article is a demonstration on the use of economic experts. The demonstration is based loosely on Mobil’s attempted take-over of Marathon Oil Company. However, the oil companies involved here are named Major, which is the second largest oil company in the United States, and Olympic, which is the largest supplier to independents. Any resemblance of Major and Olympic to any other firm, entity or person, living or not, is purely coincidental. The demonstration is divided into two parts. The first part is the conference. A conference of plaintiff’s team will be followed by a conference of defendant’s team

Trigonal to pentagonal bipyramidal coordination switching in a Co(II) single-ion magnet

In molecular magnetism and single-ion magnets in particular, the observation of slow relaxation of the magnetization is intimately linked to the coordination environment of the metal center. Such systems typically have blocking temperatures well below that of liquid nitrogen, and therefore detailed magnetic characterization is usually carried out at very low temperatures. Despite this, there has been little advantage taken of ultralow temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques that could provide a full understanding of the crystal structure in the same temperature regime where slow magnetic relaxation occurs. Here, we present a systematic variable temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction study of [CoII(NO3)3(H2O)(HDABCO)] (1) {DABCO = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane} conducted between 295 to 4 K. A reversible and robust disorder-to-order, single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition was identified, which accompanied a switching of the coordination geometry around the central Co(II) from 5- to 7-coordinate below 140 K. The magnetic properties were investigated, revealing slow relaxation of the magnetization arising from a large easy-plane magnetic anisotropy (+D) in the Co(II) pentagonal bipyramidal environment observed at low temperatures. This study highlights the importance of conducting thorough low temperature crystallographic studies, particularly where magnetic characterization is carried out at such low temperatures

Defining childhood severe falciparum malaria for intervention studies.

Background Clinical trials of interventions designed to prevent severe falciparum malaria in children require a clear endpoint. The internationally accepted definition of severe malaria is sensitive, and appropriate for clinical purposes. However, this definition includes individuals with severe nonmalarial disease and coincident parasitaemia, so may lack specificity in vaccine trials. Although there is no “gold standard” individual test for severe malaria, malaria-attributable fractions (MAFs) can be estimated among groups of children using a logistic model, which we use to test the suitability of various case definitions as trial endpoints. Methods and Findings A total of 4,583 blood samples were taken from well children in cross-sectional surveys and from 1,361 children admitted to a Kenyan District hospital with severe disease. Among children under 2 y old with severe disease and over 2,500 parasites per microliter of blood, the MAFs were above 85% in moderate- and low-transmission areas, but only 61% in a high-transmission area. HIV and malnutrition were not associated with reduced MAFs, but gastroenteritis with severe dehydration (defined by reduced skin turgor), lower respiratory tract infection (clinician's final diagnosis), meningitis (on cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] examination), and bacteraemia were associated with reduced MAFs. The overall MAF was 85% (95% confidence interval [CI] 83.8%–86.1%) without excluding these conditions, 89% (95% CI 88.4%–90.2%) after exclusions, and 95% (95% CI 94.0%–95.5%) when a threshold of 2,500 parasites/μl was also applied. Applying a threshold and exclusion criteria reduced sensitivity to 80% (95% CI 77%–83%). Conclusions The specificity of a case definition for severe malaria is improved by applying a parasite density threshold and by excluding children with meningitis, lower respiratory tract infection (clinician's diagnosis), bacteraemia, and gastroenteritis with severe dehydration, but not by excluding children with HIV or malnutrition

Mortality in Patients With Gout Treated With Allopurinol: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

ObjectiveUrate‐lowering therapy (predominantly allopurinol) is highly effective as a treatment for gout, but its wider long‐term effects remain unclear. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to ascertain the association between mortality and the use of allopurinol in patients with gout.MethodMedline, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to August 2018. Articles eligible for inclusion used a cohort design and examined cardiovascular or all‐cause mortality in patients diagnosed with gout and prescribed allopurinol. Information on study characteristics, design, sample size, and mortality risk estimates were extracted. Article quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Included articles were described in a narrative synthesis and, where possible, risk estimate data were pooled.ResultsFour articles reported a hazard ratio (HR) risk estimate for all‐cause mortality in patients with gout using allopurinol, and 2 of these also reported cardiovascular mortality. Two articles found allopurinol to be protective in patients with gout, 1 found no statistically significant association, and 1 found no statistically significant effect of escalation of allopurinol dosage on all‐cause or cardiovascular‐related mortality. Data pooling was possible for all‐cause mortality and found no association between allopurinol use in patients with gout and all‐cause mortality compared to patients with gout not using allopurinol (adjusted HR 0.80 [95% confidence interval 0.60–1.05]).ConclusionThere was no significant association between all‐cause mortality and allopurinol use in people with gout. However, the number of included studies was small, suggesting that further studies are needed

Reply to Dr. Lai regarding Allopurinol Hypersensitivity Syndrome in patients of Asian ancestry

We thank Dr Lai for their interest in our study (1). While we did not show a statistically significant link between the use of allopurinol and mortality in people with gout, we agree that Allopurinol Hypersensitivity Syndrome (AHS) is the most serious side-effect of allopurinol, particularly in populations with South East Asian ancestry, leading to the recommendation to screen people of South East Asian descent for the HLA-B*5801 allele prior to starting treatment with allopurinol (2,3)