Underlying inflation and asymetric risks

Se propone una nueva medida de la inflación subyacente que informa, en tiempo real, sobre los riesgos asimétricos en las previsiones de inflación. Las asimetrías son generadas por no linealidades inducidas por la actividad económica. El nuevo indicador se basa en un modelo multivariante de cambio de regímenes que se estima conjuntamente sobre subcomponentes del IAPC del área del euro y tiene numerosas ventajas adicionales. Primero, es capaz de inferir rápidamente cambios abruptos en la inflación subyacente. En segundo lugar, ayuda a realizar un seguimiento oportuno de los puntos de inflexión (turning points) en la inflación subyacente. En tercer lugar, el indicador propuesto muestra un desempeño satisfactorio con respecto a varios criterios relevantes para el seguimiento de la inflación.We propose a new measure of underlying inflation that provides real-time information on asymmetric risks in the outlook for inflation. The asymmetries are generated by nonlinearities induced by economic activity. The new indicator is based on a multivariate regime-switching framework estimated using disaggregated sub-components of euro area HICP and has several additional advantages. First, it is able to swiftly infer abrupt changes in underlying inflation. Second, it helps track turning points in underlying inflation on a timely basis. Third, the proposed indicator also performs satisfactorily vis-à-vis several criteria relevant to inflation monitoring

Excitons and shallow impurities in GaAs-Ga1-xAlxAs semiconductor heterostructures within a fractional-dimensional space approach: Magnetic-field effects

The fractional-dimensional space approach is extended to study exciton and shallow-donor states in symmetric-coupled GaAs-Ga1-xAlxAs multiple quantum wells. In this scheme, the real anisotropic 'exciton (or shallow donor) plus multiple quantum well' semiconductor system is mapped, for each exciton (or donor) state, into an effective fractional-dimensional isotropic environment, and the fractional dimension is essentially related to the anisotropy of the actual semiconductor system. Moreover, the fractional-dimensional space approach was extended to include magnetic-field effects in the study of shallow-impurity states in GaAs-Ga1-xAlxAs quantum wells and superlattices. In our study, the magnetic field was applied along the growth direction of the semiconductor heterostructure, and introduces an additional degree of confinement and anisotropy besides the one imposed by the heterostructure barrier potential. The fractional dimension is then related to the anisotropy introduced both by the heterostructure barrier potential and magnetic field. Calculations within the fractional-dimensional space scheme were performed for the binding energies of 1s-like heavy-hole direct exciton and shallow-donor states in symmetric-coupled semiconductor quantum wells, and for shallow-impurity states in semiconductor quantum wells and superlattices under growth-direction applied magnetic fields. Fractional-dimensional theoretical results are shown to be in good agreement with previous variational theoretical calculations and available experimental measurements.6119131041311

Trans-Neptunian objects and Centaurs at thermal wavelengths

The thermal emission of transneptunian objects (TNO) and Centaurs has been observed at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths - with the biggest contributions coming from the Spitzer and Herschel space observatories-, and the brightest ones also at sub-millimeter and millimeter wavelengths. These measurements allowed to determine the sizes and albedos for almost 180 objects, and densities for about 25 multiple systems. The derived very low thermal inertias show evidence for a decrease at large heliocentric distances and for high-albedo objects, which indicates porous and low-conductivity surfaces. The radio emissivity was found to be low ($\epsilon_r$=0.70$\pm$0.13) with possible spectral variations in a few cases. The general increase of density with object size points to different formation locations or times. The mean albedos increase from about 5-6% (Centaurs, Scattered-Disk Objects) to 15% for the Detached objects, with distinct cumulative albedo distributions for hot and cold classicals. The color-albedo separation in our sample is evidence for a compositional discontinuity in the young Solar System. The median albedo of the sample (excluding dwarf planets and the Haumea family) is 0.08, the albedo of Haumea family members is close to 0.5, best explained by the presence of water ice. The existing thermal measurements remain a treasure trove at times where the far-infrared regime is observationally not accessible.Comment: Review chapter in "The Trans-Neptunian Solar System" (D. Prialnik, M.A. Barucci and L. Young, eds.), accepted for publication in January 2019, 3 Tables, 2 Figures, 27 Page

Lecture et altérités

Lecture et altérités est le second volume de la collection « Approches interdisciplinaires de la lecture ». Il rassemble les communications présentées durant le séminaire interdisciplinaire tenu à Reims en 2006-2007. Après « Parcours de la reconnaissance intertextuelle » (session 2005-2006), il s’agissait d’élargir la perspective, de montrer que ce lieu commun du discours contemporain, l’altérité, se décline sous diverses formes : intertextuelles encore, mais aussi culturelles, sémiotiques, psychiques, génériques ; altérités de personnes ou de caractères… Selon l’angle de vue pris sur le texte à lire, selon la discipline convoquée pour penser l’autre, il faut ainsi concevoir des altérités, ce qui ouvre la voie à de nombreux croisements des perspectives. En attestent les contributions de chercheurs venus de France et d’ailleurs : linguistes, comparatistes, spécialistes de littérature française, espagnole, anglaise, qui ont contribué à enrichir ce volume. Les articles s’adressent à tout public intéressé par le rapport entre littérature et lecture

Study of the sensitisation process of a duplex stainless steel (UNS 1.4462) by means of confocal microscopy and localised electrochemical techniques

When duplex stainless steels are heated, they can become sensitised and intermetallic phases can appear. In this work, samples of duplex stainless steel, UNS 1.4462, have been heated (850 degrees C for 1 and 2 h) in a heating unit that can be accommodated to a confocal microscope in order to study the morphological changes in-situ. The electrochemical behaviour of the samples has been analysed by means of conventional and localised electrochemical techniques. According to the results, there is a general decrease in the steel resistance to localised corrosion; this decrease can be related to defects in the formed passive film.We wish to express our gratitude to MICINN (CTQ2009-07518), to Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (CEI-01-11), to the Generalitat Valenciana for its help in the CLSM acquisition (MY08/ISIRM/S/100), to Professor Alda Simoes and Andreia Marques for the help on LEIS measurements and to Dr. Asuncion Jaime for her translation assistance.Leiva García, R.; Fernandes, JS.; Muñoz-Portero, M.; Garcia-Anton, J. (2015). Study of the sensitisation process of a duplex stainless steel (UNS 1.4462) by means of confocal microscopy and localised electrochemical techniques. Corrosion Science. 94:327-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2015.02.016S3273419

CD40, autophagy and Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasmagondii represents a pathogen that survives within host cells by preventing the endosomal-lysosomal compartments from fusing with the parasitophorous vacuoles. The dogma had been that the non-fusogenic nature of these vacuoles is irreversible. Recent studies revealed that this dogma is not correct. Cell-mediated immunity through CD40 re-routes the parasitophorous vacuoles to the lysosomal compartment by a process called autophagy. Autophagosome formation around the parasitophorous vacuole results in killing of the T. gondii. CD40-induced autophagy likely contributes to resistance against T. gondii particularly in neural tissue

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs