Investigation of HNCO isomers formation in ice mantles by UV and thermal processing: an experimental approach

Current gas phase models do not account for the abundances of HNCO isomers detected in various environments, suggesting a formation in icy grain mantles. We attempted to study a formation channel of HNCO and its possible isomers by vacuum-UV photoprocessing of interstellar ice analogues containing H$_2$O, NH$_3$, CO, HCN, CH$_3$OH, CH$_4$, and N$_2$ followed by warm-up, under astrophysically relevant conditions. Only the H$_2$O:NH$_3$:CO and H$_2$O:HCN ice mixtures led to the production of HNCO species. The possible isomerization of HNCO to its higher energy tautomers following irradiation or due to ice warm-up has been scrutinized. The photochemistry and thermal chemistry of H$_2$O:NH$_3$:CO and H$_2$O:HCN ices was simulated using the Interstellar Astrochemistry Chamber (ISAC), a state-of-the-art ultra-high-vacuum setup. The ice was monitored in situ by Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy in transmittance. A quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) detected the desorption of the molecules in the gas phase. UV-photoprocessing of H$_2$O:NH$_3$:CO/H$_2$O:HCN ices lead to the formation of OCN$^-$ as main product in the solid state and a minor amount of HNCO. The second isomer HOCN has been tentatively identified. Despite its low efficiency, the formation of HNCO and the HOCN isomers by UV-photoprocessing of realistic simulated ice mantles, might explain the observed abundances of these species in PDRs, hot cores, and dark clouds

The Triads Geometric Consistency Index in AHP-Pairwise Comparison Matrices

The paper presents the Triads Geometric Consistency Index (T-GCI), a measure for evaluating the inconsistency of the pairwise comparison matrices employed in the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Based on the Saaty''s definition of consistency for AHP, the new measure works directly with triads of the initial judgements, without having to previously calculate the priority vector, and therefore is valid for any prioritisation procedure used in AHP. The T-GCI is an intuitive indicator defined as the average of the log quadratic deviations from the unit of the intensities of all the cycles of length three. Its value coincides with that of the Geometric Consistency Index (GCI) and this allows the utilisation of the inconsistency thresholds as well as the properties of the GCI when using the T-GCI. In addition, the decision tools developed for the GCI can be used when working with triads (T-GCI), especially the procedure for improving the inconsistency and the consistency stability intervals of the judgements used in group decision making. The paper further includes a study of the computational complexity of both measures (T-GCI and GCI) which allows selecting the most appropriate expression, depending on the size of the matrix. Finally, it is proved that the generalisation of the proposed measure to cycles of any length coincides with the T-GCI. It is not therefore necessary to consider cycles of length greater than three, as they are more complex to obtain and the calculation of their associated measure is more difficult

AHP-group decision making based on consistency

The Precise consistency consensus matrix (PCCM) is a consensus matrix for AHP-group decision making in which the value of each entry belongs, simultaneously, to all the individual consistency stability intervals. This new consensus matrix has shown significantly better behaviour with regards to consistency than other group consensus matrices, but it is slightly worse in terms of compatibility, understood as the discrepancy between the individual positions and the collective position that synthesises them. This paper includes an iterative algorithm for improving the compatibility of the PCCM. The sequence followed to modify the judgments of the PCCM is given by the entries that most contribute to the overall compatibility of the group. The procedure is illustrated by means of its application to a real-life situation (a local context) with three decision makers and four alternatives. The paper also offers, for the first time in the scientific literature, a detailed explanation of the process followed to solve the optimisation problem proposed for the consideration of different weights for the decision makers in the calculation of the PCCM

Quality and Quality in Higher Education: A Theoretical Discussion in Ecuadorian Higher Education System

[ES] Este documento trata algunos de los principales conceptos relacionados al aseguramiento de la calidad en educación superior. Se hace una aproximación a los conceptos de cualidad y calidad para evidenciar su relación y correspondencia etimológica y filosófica y el carácter  normativo que les antecede. Se estudia las nociones de cualidad a lo largo de tres tipos históricos de instituciones de educación superior. El marco de análisis concreto de estos conceptos es el sistema de educación superior en Ecuador.[EN] This paper examines the main concepts of quality assurance in higher education. We propose to conceptual approaches to quality: first one, as characteristics of objects; the second one, as standard of high performance. These two perspectives tryto establish an etymological, philosophical and normative linkage. We analize the quality on three historical types of higher education institutions. Then, the specifical frame of analysis is the ecuadorian higher education system.Escobar-Jiménez, C.; Delgado, A. (2019). Calidad y cualidad en la Educación Superior: una discusión teórica y una aproximación al tema en el sistema de educación superior ecuatoriano. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 17(2):159-175. https://doi.org/10.4995/redu.2019.11740OJS159175172Aguilera-Barchet, B. (2015) A History of Western Public Law. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11803-1Avilés Fabila, R. (2009). ¿Las funciones sustantivas de la universidad pública son realmente tres?: Intertexto con Laura Regil Vargas: Difusión cultural universitaria: entre el ocaso y el porvenir. Reencuentro, 56, 66-69.Bárcenas Ortiz, R. (2009). Pertinencia: Una Dimensión de la Calidad de la Enseñanza. Valor Intrínseco en las Relaciones Encaminadas al Consenso de las Normas y los Contenidos Curriculares. Tiempo de educar, 10(20), 349-378.Bernhard, A. (2012). Quality Assurance in an International Higher Education Area. A Case Study Approach and Comparative. Alemania: Dorothee Koch | Anita Wilke. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-531-94298-8Boulton, G., Lucas, C. (2008). What are universities for? LERUChavance, Bernard (2018). Economía institucional. México: FCE.Espinoza Díaz, O. (abril de 2015). Research Gate. Recuperado el 13 de 02 de 2017, de Los sistemas de aseguramiento de la calidad en la educación superior en América Latina: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268330899_Los_sistemas_de_aseguramiento_de_la_calidad_en_la_educacion_superior_en_America_LatinaFabre Batista, G. (2005). "Las funciones sustantivas de la universidad y su articulación en un departamento docente". Universidad Agraria de la Habana.Friend-Pereira, J., Lutz, K., Heerens, K. (2015). The National Unions of Students of Europe. European Student Handbook on Quality Assurance in Higher Education.Harvard University. Financial Report 2015. https://www.harvard.edu/media-relations/harvard-issues-annual-financial-reportHobsbawm, E. (1999). La era de la revolución, 1789-1848. Buenos Aires: Crítica.Hobsbawm, E. (1999b). El siglo XX. Buenos Aires: Crítica.Ley Orgánica de Educación Superior (LOES) 2010.Ley Reformatoria a la LOES 2018. Lemaitre, M.J. (2002). "Quality as Politics". Quality on Higher Education, 8(1), 29-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538320220127452Lemaitre, M.J., Mena, R. (2012). Aseguramiento de la calidad en Iberoamérica. Educación Superior. Informe 2012. En M. J. Lamaitre, y M. E. Zenteno, Aseguramiento de la calidad en Iberoamérica. Educación Superior. Informe 2012 (pp. 21-54). Santiago de Chile: Centro Interuniversitario de Desarrollo. https://doi.org/10.31619/caledu.n36.116Locke, J. (1999). Ensayo sobre el entendimiento humano. México: FCE.Long, G. (2013). "Suspendida por falta de calidad". El cierre de catorce universidades en Ecuador. En: CEAACES: "Suspendida por falta de calidad". El cierre de catorce universidades en Ecuador (pp. 9-30). Quito: CEAACES.Marrero, A. (2007). "La sociedad del conocimiento: una revisión teórica de un modelo posible para América Latina". Arxius de sociología, 17, 63-73.Ostrom, E., Hess, Ch. (2016). Introducción: una visión general de los bienes comunes del conocimiento. En: E. Ostrom, Ch. Hess. Los bienes comunes del conocimiento. Quito: IAEN, pp. 27-50. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-69962015000300008Perkin, H. (2007). "History of Universities". James J.F. Forest and Philip G. Altbach (eds.), International Handbook of Higher Education, pp. 159-205. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4012-2_10Piketty, Th. (2015). El Capital en el siglo XXI. México: FCE.Prisacariu, A., Shah, M. (2012). "Defining the Quality of Higher Education Around Ethic and Moral Values". Quality on Higher Education, 22(2), 152-166. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2016.1201931Regil Vargas, L. (2004). "Difusión cultural universitaria: entre el ocaso y el porvenir". Reencuentro. Análisis de problemas universitarios, 39, 55-62.Rüegg, W. (ed.) (1999). Historia de la universidad en Europa, Vol. I La Universidad en la Edad Media. Bilbao: Universidad del País Vasco.Ryan, P. (2015). Quality Assurance in Higher Education: A Review of Literature. Higher Learning Research Communication, 5(4), https://doi.org/10.18870/hlrc.v5i4.257Salazar, J.M. (2012). Modelos de Aseguramiento de la Calidad en la Educación Superior. En M. J. Lemaitre, M. E. Zenteno, Aseguramiento de la calidad en Iberoamérica. Educación Superior. Informe 2012 (pp. 175-180). Santiago de Chile: CINDA.Weber, Max (2009). La objetividad del conocimiento en la ciencia social y en la política social. Madrid: Alianza

Fog interception by Ball moss (<i>Tillandsia recurvata</i>)

Interception losses are a major influence in the water yield of vegetated areas. For most storms, rain interception results in less water reaching the ground. However, fog interception can increase the overall water storage capacity of the vegetation and once the storage is exceeded, fog drip is a common hydrological input. Fog interception is disregarded in water budgets of semiarid regions, but for some plant communities, it could be a mechanism offsetting evaporation losses. <i>Tillandsia recurvata</i> is a cosmopolitan epiphyte adapted to arid habitats where fog may be an important water source. Therefore, the interception storage capacity by <i>T. recurvata</i> was measured in controlled conditions and applying simulated rain or fog. Juvenile, vegetative specimens were used to determine the potential upperbound storage capacities. The storage capacity was proportional to dry weight mass. Interception storage capacity (<i>C</i>_min) was 0.19 and 0.56 mm for rainfall and fog respectively. The coefficients obtained in the laboratory were used together with biomass measurements for <i>T. recurvata</i> in a xeric scrub to calculate the depth of water intercepted by rain. <i>T. recurvata</i> contributed 20 % to the rain interception capacity of their shrub hosts: <i>Acacia farnesiana</i> and <i>Prosopis laevigata</i> and; also potentially intercepted 4.8 % of the annual rainfall. Nocturnal stomatic opening in <i>T. recurvata</i> is not only relevant for CO₂ but for water vapor, as suggested by the higher weight change of specimens wetted with fog for 1 h at dark in comparison to those wetted during daylight (543 ± 77 vs. 325 ± 56 mg, <i>p</i> = 0.048). The storage capacity of <i>T. recurvata</i> leaf surfaces could increase the amount of water available for evaporation, but as this species colonise montane forests, the effect could be negative on water recharge, because potential storage capacity is very high, in the laboratory experiments it took up to 12 h at a rate of 0.26 l h⁻¹ to reach saturation conditions when fog was applied

Assessing Value-based Health Care Delivery for Hemodialysis

Rationale, aims and objectives Disparities in haemodialysis outcomes among centres have been well-documented. Besides, attempts to assess haemodialysis results have been based on non-comprehensive methodologies. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing haemodialysis centres, based on the value of health care. The value of health care is defined as the patient benefit from a specific medical intervention per monetary unit invested (Value = Patient Benefit/Cost). This study assessed the value of health care and ranked different haemodialysis centres. Method A nephrology quality management group identified the criteria for the assess- ment. An expert group composed of stakeholders (patients, clinicians and managers) agreed on the weighting of each variable, considering values and preferences. Multi-criteria methodology was used to analyse the data. Four criteria and their weights were identified: evidence-based clinical performance measures = 43 points; yearly mortality = 27 points; patient satisfaction = 13 points; and health-related quality of life = 17 points (100-point scale). Evidence-based clinical performance measures included five sub-criteria, with respective weights, including: dialysis adequacy; haemoglobin concentration; mineral and bone disorders; type of vascular access; and hospitalization rate. The patient benefit was determined from co-morbidity–adjusted results and corresponding weights. The cost of each centre was calculated as the average amount expended per patient per year. Results The study was conducted in five centres (1–5). After adjusting for co-morbidity, value of health care was calculated, and the centres were ranked. A multi-way sensitivity analysis that considered different weights (10–60% changes) and costs (changes of 10% in direct and 30% in allocated costs) showed that the methodology was robust. The rankings: 4-5-3-2-1 and 4-3-5-2-1 were observed in 62.21% and 21.55%, respectively, of simula- tions, when weights were varied by 60%. Conclusions Value assessments may integrate divergent stakeholder perceptions, create a context for improvement and aid in policy-making decisions