Robust and alternative estimators for "better" estimates for expenditures and other "long tail" distributions

[[abstract]]A 2006 Tourism Management article proposes using specific robust estimators to determine "better" estimated means for long-tail distributions; that is for skewed distributions with valid large responses heavily influencing the mean. Getting better estimates matters because long-tail distributions occur frequently for amounts and quantities. In addition, long-tail distribution sample means and totals can be so variable using those prompts concerns. However, low variability robust estimates of means and totals can be badly biased. Therefore, a focus of this paper is obtaining relatively low variability estimates that are not "too" biased. Real data are used to illustrate attributes of long-tail distributions. Results show some robust estimators suggested for producing better estimates are badly biased and therefore not better. Three ways of obtaining lower variability estimated means and totals that are not "too" biased are discussed. Practical and research implications of the ideas presented and of results obtained are discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Beyond smart systems adoption: Enabling diffusion and assimilation of smartness in hospitality

The purpose of this study is to investigate the diffusion of smartness in hospitality and, furthermore, the assimilation of smart technologies in hotel business units. A qualitative exploratory investigation with an abductive research approach was adopted and data were collected through in-depth interviewing of 39 hotel managers in the highly advanced hospitality industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Analysis of the data was conducted inductively to elicit themes within the technological, organizational, and environmental contexts and to mark trailheads for future research. The study yielded important insights into how barriers to the diffusion of smartness can be surpassed, and how smart technologies can be assimilated into existing hotel organizational structures and operations. The proposed aggregate dimensions for achieving assimilation of smart technologies in hotels highlight the importance of organizational sustained learning and smart networks synergism while shaping configurational system innovations

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical neuro-oncology multi-disciplinary team decision making: a national survey (COVID-CNSMDT Study).

OBJECTIVES: Pressures on healthcare systems due to COVID-19 has impacted patients without COVID-19 with surgery disproportionally affected. This study aims to understand the impact on the initial management of patients with brain tumours by measuring changes to normal multidisciplinary team (MDT) decision making. DESIGN: A prospective survey performed in UK neurosurgical units performed from 23 March 2020 until 24 April 2020. SETTING: Regional neurosurgical units outside London (as the pandemic was more advanced at time of study). PARTICIPANTS: Representatives from all units were invited to collect data on new patients discussed at their MDT meetings during the study period. Each unit decided if management decision for each patient had changed due to COVID-19. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures included number of patients where the decision to undergo surgery changed compared with standard management usually offered by that MDT. Secondary outcome measures included changes in surgical extent, numbers referred to MDT, number of patients denied surgery not receiving any treatment and reasons for any variation across the UK. RESULTS: 18 units (75%) provided information from 80 MDT meetings that discussed 1221 patients. 10.7% of patients had their management changed-the majority (68%) did not undergo surgery and more than half of this group not undergoing surgery had no active treatment. There was marked variation across the UK (0%-28% change in management). Units that did not change management could maintain capacity with dedicated oncology lists. Low volume units were less affected. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 has had an impact on patients requiring surgery for malignant brain tumours, with patients receiving different treatments-most commonly not receiving surgery or any treatment at all. The variations show dedicated cancer operating lists may mitigate these pressures. STUDY REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the Royal College of Surgeons of England's COVID-19 Research Group (https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/coronavirus/rcs-covid-research-group/)

Transcriptional recapitulation and subversion of embryonic colon development by mouse colon tumor models and human colon cancer

Colon tumors from four independent mouse models and 100 human colorectal cancers all exhibited striking recapitulation of embryonic colon gene expression from embryonic days 13.5-18.5

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field