Bisimulation of Labeled State-to-Function Transition Systems of Stochastic Process Languages

Labeled state-to-function transition systems, FuTS for short, admit multiple transition schemes from states to functions of finite support over general semirings. As such they constitute a convenient modeling instrument to deal with stochastic process languages. In this paper, the notion of bisimulation induced by a FuTS is proposed and a correspondence result is proven stating that FuTS-bisimulation coincides with the behavioral equivalence of the associated functor. As generic examples, the concrete existing equivalences for the core of the process algebras ACP, PEPA and IMC are related to the bisimulation of specific FuTS, providing via the correspondence result coalgebraic justification of the equivalences of these calculi.Comment: In Proceedings ACCAT 2012, arXiv:1208.430

Cost-effectiveness of breast cancer control strategies in Central America: The cases of Costa Rica and Mexico

__Abstract__ This paper reports the most cost-effective policy options to support and improve breast cancer control in Costa Rica and Mexico. Total costs and effects of breast cancer interventions were estimated using the health care perspective and WHO-CHOICE methodology. Effects were measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Costs were assessed in 2009 United States Dollars (US$). To the extent available, analyses were based on locally obtained data. In Costa Rica, the current strategy of treating breast cancer in stages I to IV at a 80$4,739 per DALY averted. At a coverage level of 95%, biennial clinical breast examination (CBE) screening could improve Costa Rica's population health twofold, and can still be considered very cost-effective (ICER US$5,964/DALY). For Mexico, our results indicate that at 95$5,021/DALY). If more resources are available in Mexico, biennial mammography screening for women 50-70 yrs (ICER US$12,718/DALY), adding trastuzumab (ICER US$13,994/DALY) or screening women 40-70 yrs biennially plus trastuzumab (ICER US$17,115/DALY) are less cost-effective options. We recommend both Costa Rica and Mexico to engage in MAR, CBE or mammography screening programs, depending on their budget. The results of this study should be interpreted with caution however, as the evidence on the intervention effectiveness is uncertain. Also, these programs require several organizational, budgetary and human resources, and the accessibility of breast cancer diagnostic, referral, treatment and palliative care facilities should be improved simultaneously. A gradual implementation of early detection programs should give the respective Ministries of Health the time to negotiate the required budget, train the required human resources and understand possible socioeconomic barriers

Multiset Bisimulations as a Common Framework for Ordinary and Probabilistic Bisimulations

Our concrete objective is to present both ordinary bisimulations and probabilistic bisimulations in a common coalgebraic framework based on multiset bisimulations. For that we show how to relate the underlying powerset and probabilistic distributions functors with the multiset functor by means of adequate natural transformations. This leads us to the general topic that we investigate in the paper: a natural transformation from a functor F to another G transforms F-bisimulations into G-bisimulations but, in general, it is not possible to express G-bisimulations in terms of F-bisimulations. However, they can be characterized by considering Hughes and Jacobs’ notion of simulation, taking as the order on the functor F the equivalence induced by the epi-mono decomposition of the natural transformation relating F and G. We also consider the case of alternating probabilistic systems where non-deterministic and probabilistic choices are mixed, although only in a partial way, and extend all these results to categorical simulations

Moeen Ali and the Post-Imperial World of Cricket

Three aspects of Indian cricket are coloring life in the UK at present, even after the departure of this summer’s touring team. One is the sport’s governing body. The second is an Indian organization. And the third is an English cricketer. Each aspect tells us something about the legacy of empire. The first two also inform us about commercial power, and the third about multiculturalism and sectarianism..

An Oral History Annotation Tool for INTER-VIEWs

Contains fulltext : 101864.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)We present a web-based tool for retrieving and annotating audio fragments of e.g. interviews. Our collection contains 250 interviews with veterans of Dutch conflicts and military missions. The audio files of the interviews were disclosed using ASR technology focussed at keyword retrieval. Resulting transcripts were stored in a MySQL database together with metadata, summary texts, and keywords, and carefully indexed. Retrieved fragments can be made audible and annotated. Annotations can be kept personal or be shared with other users. The tool and formats comply with CLARIN standards. A demo version of the tool is available at http://wwwlands2.let.kun.nl/spex/annotationtooldemo.Language Resources and Evaluation Conference (LREC

Critical view on diagnosing muscle wasting by single-frequency bio-electrical impedance in COPD

SummaryBackgroundAssessment of muscle wasting in COPD is relevant as it is independently associated with metabolic and functional consequences and even survival. Muscle wasting can be approached by assessing fat free mass (FFM), but it is already demonstrated that FFM measured by bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) underestimates FFM measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (FFMDExA) in a relatively small COPD group.ObjectiveTo evaluated critical points for defining muscle wasting in a large cohort of moderate to severe COPD patients and with DEXA scan as reference.DesignFFM by BIA was compared with FFMDExA in 1087 COPD patients (641♂, FEV1: 44.8±17.5%pred). In a subgroup (n=422), FFMDExA was predicted by multivariate analysis and a new formula to calculate FFM by BIA was developed. The new formula was compared with FFMDExA in the remaining subgroup (n=665). Muscle wasting was defined according to the cut-offs of Schols et al. (FFM index (FFMI)<16kg/m2 for men, 15kg/m2 for women), Vestbo et al. (FFMI<17.1kg/m2 for men, 14.6kg/m2 for women), and Coin et al. (FFMI<17.8kg/m2 for men, 14.6kg/m2 for women).ResultsThere was an underestimation of FFM by BIA when compared to FFMDExA by the Bland Altman. Comparing the new formula with FFMDExA, the mean underestimation almost disappeared but the variation remained. The proportion of muscle wasting was largely dependent on the used cut-offs, especially in men.ConclusionThe results of the present study emphasize the importance to accurately bare in mind the technique and cut-offs to establish muscle wasting before implementing it in the clinical practice

Diet and vitamin D as risk factors for lung impairment and COPD

Epidemiologic and observational studies have shown an association between increased intakes of certain micronutrients and higher levels of lung function and health. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of the U.S. population have demonstrated repeatedly that increased intakes or serum levels of some micronutrients, including the vitamins E, D, C, and A, and carotenes are associated positively with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). These findings are complemented by other observational studies, including the MORGEN study as well as the Seven Countries Study, both of which found micronutrient status had positive correlations with pulmonary function. In addition, epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that dietary intake patterns with increased intakes of fruit, vegetables, fish, vitamin E, and whole grains have been associated with a decreased development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in smokers and nonsmokers, higher levels of FEV1, and decreased long-term COPD mortality. Diets high in refined food have been associated with accelerated longitudinal decline in FEV1 over 5 years. Taken together, these results suggest that micronutrient status may impact lung function, and that nutrition interventions could be a useful tool in a public health campaign aimed at the prevention of lung disease. Future research should focus on the effect of nutrition interventions on the natural history of lung disease

Anemia is associated with bone mineral density in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract Objective: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer from systemic co-morbidities, including anemia. However, anemia is related to multiple outcomes in COPD and in other chronic diseases, but it's impact is underestimated in COPD. The objective of the present study was to relate anemia in patients with COPD with disease-related outcomes, systemic inflammation and COPD related co-morbidities. Methods: Data of 321 patients with COPD admitted for pulmonary rehabilitation were analysed. Besides general characteristics, lung function, body composition, arterial gases and plasma haemoglobin concentration, disease-related outcomes (health-related quality of life by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, 6-minute walking distance, mMRC dyspnea scale, and BODE index), systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP)) and self-reported and objectified co-morbidities (low muscle mass, osteoporosis, renal failure, risk for undernutrition) were taken into account. Results: First, 20% of the patients were anemic, and 8% was polycythemic. Polycythemic patients had a lower proportion of men and a lower proportion of low muscle mass compared to the other groups. Anemic patients had higher plasma CRP levels and lower total body bone mineral density compared to the other groups. There was no difference in disease-related outcomes or other co-morbidities in the patients with and without anemia. Even after adjustment for confounders, anemia was an independent determinant for higher CRP levels and lower bone mineral density. Conclusion: Anemia is frequently present in patients with COPD and there is evidence that it is associated with lower whole body bone mineral density