Emerging Market Business Cycles Revisited: Learning about the Trend

We build an equilibrium business cycle model in which agents cannot perfectly distinguish between the permanent and transitory components of TFP shocks and learn about those components using the Kalman filter. Calibrated to Mexico, the model predicts a higher variability of consumption relative to output and a strongly negative correlation between the trade balance and output for a wide range of variability and persistence of permanent shocks vis-a-vis the transitory shocks. Moreover, our estimation for Mexico and Canada suggests more severe informational frictions in emerging markets than in developed economies.emerging markets, business cycles, learning, Kalman filter

Emerging market business cycles revisited: learning about the trend

We build an equilibrium business cycle model in which agents cannot perfectly distinguish between the permanent and transitory components of TFP shocks and learn about those components using the Kalman filter. Calibrated to Mexico, the model predicts a higher variability of consumption relative to output and a strongly negative correlation between the trade balance and output for a wide range of variability and persistence of permanent shocks vis-a-vis the transitory shocks. Moreover, our estimation for Mexico and Canada suggests more severe informational frictions in emerging markets than in developed economies

Silent interrupted aortic arch in an elderly patient

Patients with complete interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) very rarely reach late adulthood without having undergone surgical intervention. Only a few cases of IAA in adults have been reported in the medical literature. In this case report, we present a late diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch in a 68 year-old male. Our patient was relatively asymptomatic until he presented with fatigue after walking quickly. A guidewire could not be passed to the aortic arch via the femoral approach; descending thoracic aortography revealed complete occlusion of the descending thoracic aorta. Cardiac catheterization via the right brachial artery confirmed the diagnosis of a complete interruption of the aortic arch distal to the left subclavian artery and showed distinct collateral circulation predominantly via the internal mammary arteries. Also, magnetic resonance angiography showed cuttings that reveal the interruption in the aortic arch and the prominent collateral vessels to the descending aorta. This case report was also interesting in that pressure measurements at a proximal point of the interrupted aortic arch were not hypertensive. Using both catheters, placed proximally and distally to the point of the interruption, by simultaneous pressure measurement, it was measured as 120/75 mm Hg at the proximal point, 60/40 mm Hg at the distal point. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 6: 695–697

Regio- and Stereoselective Aminopentadienylation of Carbonyl Compounds

A simple and robust protocol is detailed for the preparation of enantioenriched α-substituted (1,4-pentadien-3-yl)amine derivatives. The methodology involves the addition of an in situ formed pentadienyl indium reagent to chiral tert-butylsulfinimines, previously formed in the same pot. The addition takes place with excellent γ-regio- and diastereoselectivity for a wide range of carbonyl compounds, including α-unsubstituted aldehydes and methyl alkyl ketones. The catalytic hydrogenation of the sulfinamines obtained provides a convenient access to chiral α-substituted (3-pentyl)amines. The hydroboration–oxidation of the α-(1,4-pentadien-3-yl)amine derivatives, followed by a cyclization under Mitsunobu conditions, takes place with an excellent diastereoselectivity governed by the chiral sulfinyl group.We thank the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (CTQ2011-24165) for financial support. I.B. acknowledges the Generalitat Valenciana for a predoctoral fellowship (ACIF/2011/159). E.B. acknowledges the Council of Higher Education- Turkey for a postdoctoral fellowship (16.10.12-B.09.6.YÖK.0.71.01-207.02-12285)

Effective Hamiltonian for non-minimally coupled scalar fields

Performing a relativistic approximation as the generalization to a curved spacetime of the flat space Klein-Gordon equation, an effective Hamiltonian which includes non-minimial coupling between gravity and scalar field and also quartic self-interaction of scalar field term is obtained.Comment: 4 page

A meta-analysis of science education studies for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)

Teaching science education has remained limited for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), which, in turn, has resulted in an ongoing discrepancy between these students and their typically developing peers for decades. Although there is a growing body of research in effective teaching approaches aimed at overcoming this discrepancy, there is still a need to identify evidence-based practices for addressing this academic core content. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to (a) find out the skills taught in science education to students with IDD, (b) define the characteristics of instructional approaches or adaptations of instructional approaches used to teach science content and practices, (c) conduct visual and effect size analysis of science education studies meeting the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) quality indicators (QIs; Cook et al., 2015), and (d) determine whether there are differences in effect sizes of science education studies meeting CEC QIs based on participant and intervention characteristics. Of 27 studies reviewed, 18 studies met all the CEC QIs. A meta-analysis of these 18 studies resulted in an overall medium effect size of 0.82 CI95 (0.76, 0.87). While all the moderator variables showed a medium effect size in participant characteristics, intervention characteristics showed differences in effect sizes for comprehension-based learning and peer and researcher-implemented interventions

Vitreoschisis-induced vitreous cortex remnants in proliferative vitreoretinopathy:A comprehensive review from basic research to clinical practice

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) significantly impacts the prognosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), one of the most critical and increasing causes of vision loss in the Western world. Despite advancements in surgical instruments and techniques, the failure rate due to PVR remains substantial, necessitating additional surgeries and often leading to unsatisfactory visual outcomes. This comprehensive review explores the role of vitreoschisis-induced vitreous cortex remnants (VCR) as a critical, previously under-recognised factor contributing to PVR. Vitreoschisis, a phenomenon where the inner lamellae of the posterior vitreous cortex detach while the outermost layers remain attached to the retina, creates VCR that may contain hyalocytes and serve as scaffolds for fibrocellular proliferation. These remnants are difficult to visualise without triamcinolone acetonide (TA) staining, leading to their frequent lack of recognition in clinical practice. Moreover, removing VCR can be challenging and time-consuming, often requiring meticulous surgical techniques to avoid retinal damage and ensure complete elimination. This review consolidates insights from basic research and clinical practice, emphasising the importance of complete vitreous removal and effective VCR detection and removal to mitigate PVR risks. It highlights the histopathological and clinical evidence supporting the hypothesis that VCR, containing hyalocytes, play a pivotal role in preretinal membrane formation. The review also discusses epidemiological data, surgical management strategies and potential future directions, including improved visualisation techniques and the development of new surgical tools and methods. This review aims to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the frequency and burden of RRD-related complications by addressing VCR as a critical factor in PVR

8q Gain Has No Additional Predictive Value in <i>SF3B1</i>^MUT Uveal Melanoma but Is Predictive for a Worse Prognosis in Patients with <i>BAP1</i>^MUT Uveal Melanoma

Purpose: Gain of chromosome 8q has been associated with poor prognosis in uveal melanoma (UM), and an increase in the absolute number of 8q-copies correlated with an even shorter survival. Splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1)-mutated (SF3B1 MUT) tumors display structural chromosomal anomalies and frequently show a partial gain of chromosome 8qter. A recent subset of SF3B1 MUT UM with early-onset metastases has been identified, prompting the investigation of the relationship between survival, 8q gain, and SF3B1 MUT UM. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Subjects: Patients diagnosed with UM who underwent enucleation or received a biopsy at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute or the Rotterdam Eye Hospital, The Netherlands were included. Methods: Fifty-nine patients with SF3B1 MUT tumors and 211 patients with BRCA1 associated protein 1 (BAP1)-mutated (BAP1 MUT) tumors were included in this study. Copy number status and gene expression were assessed using either a single nucleotide polymorphism array, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and karyotyping, or a combination of these techniques. Disease-free survival was determined and a cut-off of 60 months was used to define early-onset metastatic disease. Main Outcome Measures: Disease-free survival. Results: Forty-eight patients with SF3B1 MUT UM (81%) had chromosome 8q gain (3 copies, 78%; 4 copies, 22%). Kaplan–Meier analysis of SF3B1 MUT UM did not indicate a difference in survival in patients with or without gain of 8q (P = 0.99). Furthermore, the number of 8q copies was not associated with survival when comparing early (P = 0.97) versus late (P = 0.23) metastases group. In contrast, the presence of 8q gain (86%) was correlated with a decreased survival in BAP1 MUT UM (P = 0.013). Conclusions: We did not find a correlation between 8q gain and early-onset metastasis in SF3B1 MUT tumors. Gain of 8q has no additional predictive value in SF3B1 MUT tumors. In contrast, 8q gain is predictive of a worse prognosis in patients with BAP1 MUT tumors. Thus, gain of chromosome 8q has additional predictive value for BAP1 MUT tumors, but not for SF3B1 MUT tumors. Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.</p