Taste and Quality Perception of Attributes in Product Differentiation: An Econometric Model with Latent Variables

We study the consumers' preferences for the various attributes of a product. We consider that the consumers'choices are not guided by observed characteristics of a product, but by the quality perception consumers have on these attributes. Our model integrates this issue by means of latent variables, and is interested in the influence of the information received by the consumer on this perception. It also includes consumers' attitudes by supposing that the weight consumers put on attributes describes their tastes. An econometric application on material choices (wood vs. PVC) in the French window market valid these assumptions.quality perception, information, taste, latent variable model, wood

Neurohormonal Modulation as a Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Hypertension.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are involved in many cardiovascular disorders, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). The current review focuses on the role of the ANS and RAAS activation in PH and updated evidence of potential therapies targeting both systems in this condition, particularly in Groups 1 and 2. State of the art knowledge in preclinical and clinical use of pharmacologic drugs (beta-blockers, beta-three adrenoceptor agonists, or renin-angiotensin-aldosterone signaling drugs) and invasive procedures, such as pulmonary artery denervation, is provided.This work was partially funded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria PI17/00995 and Intensificación AES2019 to Dr. García-Álvarez. The CNIC is supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (SEV-2015-0505). Part of this work was developed at the Centre de Recerca Biomèdica Cellex, IDIBAPS, Barcelona. The IDIBAPS belongs to the CERCA Programme and receives partial funding from the Generalitat de Catalunya.S

Risk factors related to population diversity and disparity determine healthy aging

Our study exposes the determinants of healthy aging in Latin America, underscoring the importance of the effects of social and health disparities over those of traditional factors like age and sex.Our findings highlight an urgent need for more-targeted health risks detection, interventions, andpolicies, particularly in low-income regions.Fil: Ibanez Barassi, Agustin Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de San Andrés; Argentina. Universidad Adolfo Ibañez; ChileFil: Santamaria Garcia, Hernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Colombi

Motivational interview and imaging of subclinical atherosclerosis for cardiovascular disease prevention: a winning combination?

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The 3D Attenuation Structure of Deception Island (Antarctica)

Peer reviewedPostprin

Decision events in the germinal centre: the role of ACKR4

Murine atypical chemokine receptor 4, ACKR4, which binds to chemokines CCL19, CCL21 and CCL25, is expressed specifically in germinal centre (GC) B cells and in a layer of stromal cells surrounding the splenic marginal zone. Although ACKR4 is unable to signal as classical GPCRs, it creates gradients of its ligands. It is shown here that ACKR4 deficiency in the stroma causes infiltration of naïve B cells into the GC area. ACKR4 deficiency in the B cells causes dysregulation of the intragerminal centre distribution, with enlarged light zones and reduced dark zones when compared to ACKR4-competent mice. This skewed GC distribution is caused by the inability of ACKR4-deficient B cells to downregulate c-Myc, as they receive increased signalling though the CCR7- p-Akt - c-Myc signalling pathway. Moreover, ACKR4-deficient mice contain elevated numbers of memory B cells (MBC) in the distant lymphoid organs. MBCs are retained in the draining lymph node (drLN) by the presence of a CCL19/21 gradient towards the subcapsular sinus (SCS). When this gradient is absent, as occurs in ACKR4-deficient mice, MBCs escape the drLN easier through the SCS and appear in other sites in elevated numbers. Together, this shows a new role for ACKR4 in the GC response and in the migration of GC-derived MBCs out of the follicle and the drLN

Answering regular path queries over SQ ontologies

We study query answering in the description logic SQ supporting qualified number restrictions on both transitive and non-transitive roles. Our main contributions are a tree-like model property for SQ-knowledge bases and, building upon this, an optimal automata-based algorithm for answering positive existential regular path queries in 2EXPTIME

Disarming ex-combatants' minds: Toward situated reintegration process in post-conflict Colombia

Collective violence in the context of armed conflict impacts the economy, health systems, and social stability of affected countries. This is considered a complex phenomenon with interwoven biological, psychological, social, cultural, and political factors. However, most of the research on this topic still lacks suitable established integrative approaches to assess multilevel perspectives. Social, cognitive and affective mental processes (SCAMP) are critical factors that should be considered in multilevel approaches. In this article, we critically discuss some of the classically isolated approaches used in violence research, the absence of successful interventions for ex-combatants reintegration, and the specific neglect of SCAMP in these interventions. We present the case of post-conflict Colombia as a unique opportunity to study the different roots of collective violence, and we call for a more robust and situated approach to understanding of and intervention in this multifaceted phenomenon. In addition, we suggest a two-stage approach for addressing ex-combatants' reintegration programs, which considers the situated nature of post-conflict scenarios and the urgent need for evidence-based interventions. This approach focuses on the comprehensive scientific assessment of specific factors involved in violence exposure and the subsequent design of successful interventions. The implementation of this approach will contribute to the effective reintegration of individuals who have been exposed to extreme violence for more than 50 years.Fil: Báez Buitrago, Sandra Jimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad de los Andes; ColombiaFil: Santamaria Garcia, Hernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Ibanez Barassi, Agustin Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad Adolfo Ibañez; Chile. Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; Colombia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencias Cognitivas y Traslacional; Argentin