The Impact of Product Market Competition on Private Benefits of Control

This paper investigates the impact of product market competition (PMC) on private benefits of control (PBC). We estimate PBC using the voting premium between shares with differential voting rights. We use two measures of the intensity of product market competition: an external competition measure based on industry-level import penetration, and an internal measure derived from domestic product market regulations. Using data for publicly-traded firms in 19 countries for which information on dual class shares is available we find that PMC is strongly negatively correlated with PBC. The evidence indicates that the effect is particularly strong for firms in industries that are likely to be concentrated and in countries with poor legal environments. We further examine the channels through which PMC enhances governance. We find evidence indicating that improvements in the availability of industry information and the higher default probability associated with tougher competition are two important forces in reducing the estimated price gap between dual class shares. Using exchange rates and terms of trade as instruments for import penetration, we find that the link between competition in product markets and private benefits of control is not spurious. Overall, our results suggest that product market competition can help in curbing private benefits of control.private benefits of control, competition, corporate governance, import penetration

Solving Large-Scale Markov Decision Processes on Low-Power Heterogeneous Platforms

Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) provide a framework for a machine to act autonomously and intelligently in environments where the effects of its actions are not deterministic. MDPs have numerous applications. We focus on practical applications for decision making, such as autonomous driving and service robotics, that have to run on mobile platforms with scarce computing and power resources. In our study, we use Value Iteration to solve MDPs, a core method of the paradigm to find optimal sequences of actions, which is well known for its high computational cost. In order to solve these computationally complex problems efficiently in platforms with stringent power consumption constraints, high-performance accelerator hardware and parallelised software come to the rescue. We introduce a generalisable approach to implement practical applications for decision making, such as autonomous driving on mobile and embedded low-power heterogeneous SoC platforms that integrate an accelerator (GPU) with a multicore. We evaluate three scheduling strategies that enable concurrent execution and efficient use of resources on a variety of SoCs embedding a multicore CPU and integrated GPU, namely Oracle, Dynamic, and LogFit. We compare these strategies for solving an MDP modelling the use-case of autonomous robot navigation in indoor environments on four representative platforms for mobile decision-making applications with a power use ranging from 4 to 65 Watts. We provide a rigorous analysis of the results to better understand their behaviour depending on the MDP size and the computing platform. Our experimental results show that by using CPU-GPU heterogeneous strategies, the computation time and energy required are considerably reduced with respect to multicore implementation, regardless of the computational platform.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. This work was partially supported by the Spanish project TIN 2016-80920-R

Results of a Professional Medical Counseling/surveillance in Preoperative Weight Loss

Background:Preoperative weight loss reduces the risk for complications after bariatric surgery.Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of a preoperative counseling program compared to general recommendations alone.Setting: Obesity Surgery Unit. Reina Sofia General University Hospital.  Murcia (southeast Spain).Methods: Prospective, randomized controlled study including 162 patients. Participants were randomly assigned to our preoperative intensive behavioral/lifestyle program (Counseling Group:55, 78% women) or to receive general nutritional recommendations (Reference Group:49, 82% women). Primary endpoint was a between-group comparison of percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at 4 months.Results: Counseling Group: baseline Body Mass Index (BMI)1was 45.9±7.3kg/m2 when  enrolled into the education program and reduced to to BMI2:43.2±5.6kg/m2 the day before the operation. After the motivational intervention, we got an average loss of 7.3±3.7kg of body weight and 12.4%EWL in 16 weeks.Reference Group: mean BMI1 was 45.5±7.3kg/m2. The day before surgery, BMI2 was: 46.1±6.1kg/m2. Over a period of 16 weeks the average weight gain was 1.8±1.1kg and -3%EWL (p=0.12). Weight gain was observed in 55% of these patients.The comparison of the mean %EWL in both groups did not reveal any statistically significant differences.  Conclusions: The educational intervention was not statistically significant more effective than general nutritional recommendations in achieving weight loss

In Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of Novel Cross-Linked Saccharide Based Polymers as Bile Acid Sequestrants

Bile acid sequestrants (BAS) represent a therapeutic approach for the management of hypercholesterolemia that relies on the cationic polymeric nature of BAS to selectively bind negatively charged bile acids. We hypothesized that the cross-linking of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and saccharides such as starch or dextrin with divinyl sulfone (DVS) yields homo- and hetero-polymeric materials with the ability to trap sterols. Our hypothesis was put to test by synthesizing a library of 22 polymers that were screened to evaluate their capability to sequester both cholesterol (CHOL) and cholic and deoxycholic acids (CA and DCA). Three polymers synthesized in high yield were identified as promising. Two were neutral hetero-polymers of β-CD and starch or dextrin and the third was a weakly cationic homo-polymer of starch, highlighting the importance of the cavity effect. They were tested in hypercholesterolemic male Wistar rats and their ability to regulate hypercholesterolemia was similar to that for the reference BAS cholestyramine, but with two additional advantages: (i) they normalized the TG level and (ii) they did not increase the creatinine level. Neither hepatotoxicity nor kidney injury was detected, further supporting them as therapeutical candidates to manage hypercholesterolemia.Financial Support was provided by Universidad de Granada in the frame of the Granada Research of Excellence Initiative on BioHealth (GREIB)

Dificultades docentes en el estudio de forjados de madera reforzados mediante losa superior de hormigón

El refuerzo de forjados de madera mediante la conexión de una losa de hormigón superior es una técnica ampliamente utilizada en el sector de la rehabilitación de edificios antiguos. Sin embargo, la experiencia muestra que el análisis estructural de estos tipos de refuerzos se realiza en muchas ocasiones de una manera empírica, sin aportar justificaciones numéricas, sobre todo en dos cuestiones: el análisis de la resistencia de los elementos de madera y el cálculo de la conexión. El Grupo de Innovación Educativa de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Enseñanza del Hormigón Estructural (EHE) está desarrollando un Proyecto de Innovación Educativa (PIE) basado en la elaboración de casos prácticos. En este trabajo se estudia uno de ellos relativo al análisis de refuerzo de forjados de madera mediante la conexión de una losa superior de hormigón

Effects of apnoea training on aerobic and anaerobic performance:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Trained breath-hold divers have shown physiological adaptations that might improve athletes’ aerobic and anaerobic performance. Objective This study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature and perform a meta-analysis to assess the effects of voluntary apnoea training on markers of anaerobic and aerobic performance, such as blood lactate and VO(2max). Methods A literature search on three databases (Web of Science, PubMed and SCOPUS) was conducted in March 2022. The inclusion criteria were 1) peer-reviewed journal publication; 2) clinical trials; 3) healthy humans; 4) effects of apnoea training; 5) variables included markers of aerobic or anaerobic performance, such as lactate and VO(2max). Results 545 manuscripts were identified following database examination. Only seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were, therefore, included in the meta-analysis. 126 participants were allocated to either voluntary apnoea training (ApT; n = 64) or normal breathing (NB; n = 63). Meta-analysis on the included studies demonstrated that ApT increased the peak blood lactate concentration more than NB (MD = 1.89 mmol*L(−1) [95% CI 1.05, 2.73], z = 4.40, p < 0.0001). In contrast, there were no statistically significant effects of ApT on VO(2max) (MD = 0.89 ml*kg(−1)*min(−1) [95% CI −1.23, 3.01], z = 0.82, p = 0.41). Conclusion ApT might be an alternative strategy to enhace anaerobic performance associated with increased maximum blood lactate; however, we did not find evidence of ApT effects on physiological aerobic markers, such as VO(2max). Systematic Review Registration: [PRISMA], identifier [registration number]

Steady state kinetic analysis of Legionella pneumophila Cu+ transport ATPase: The activation by Cu+ and ATP )

P-type ATPases are a family of membrane proteins which couple ATPhydrolysis to the transport of substrates across biological membranes. Withinthem, Cu + -ATPases are the most widespread and conserved heavy metal iontransporting ATPases (PIB-ATPases). Its reaction cycle is assumed to bedescribed by the so-called Albers-Post model postulated for the most studied P-ATPases such as the Na + ,K + -ATPase or the Ca 2+ -ATPases. However, as somestructural and functional particularities arise for Cu + -ATPases, several authorsposit some doubts about their reaction cycle mechanism. The aim of our work isto perform a functional characterization of Legionella pneumophila Cu⁺-ATPase(LpCopA) by measuring steady state ATPase activity. Cu + -ATPase activity of theenzyme presents a maximum at ∼37ºC and pH 6.6-6.8. Phospholipids enhanceLpCopA Cu + -ATPase activity in a non-essential mode where optimal activity isachieved at an asolectin mole fraction of 0.15 and an amphiphile-protein ratio of~30000. As described for other P-ATPases, Mg 2+ acts as an essential activator.When evaluating the role of ATP and Cu + in the reaction cycle of LpCopA weobserved that ATPase activity increases as Cu + concentration increases with afunctional dependence that can be described by a sum of two hyperboles. Onthe other hand, the increment on ATP concentration in the reaction mediaproduces an increment of ATPase activity that can be described by a hyperbolaplus a constant value. Based on that, and the [Cu + ] and [ATP] dependencies ofthe best fitting parameters of the functions pointed above, we propose aminimal reaction scheme for LpCopA catalytic mechanism that contemplatestwo enzyme conformations with different affinities for ATP, enzymephosphorylation and binding of at least two Cu + ions with different affinities. Thismodel is compatible with the structural information available and the maincharacteristics of the reaction cycle models for the most characterized P-TypeATPases.Fil: Placenti, Maria Agueda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Roman, Ernesto Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Flecha, Francisco Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez-Lebrero, Rodolfo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina20th Internaitional Congress of the INternational Union for Pure Applied Biophysics; 50th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 45th Congress of Brazilian Biophysics Society anda 13th Brazilian Society on Nuclear Biosciences CongressBrasilSociedade Brasileira de Bioquímica e Biología Molecula

Análisis de experiencias de laboratorio como herramienta docente: aplicación al estudio de pilares de hormigón reforzados mediante encamisados

El Grupo de Innovación Educativa de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Enseñanza del Hormigón Estructural (EHE) está desarrollando un Proyecto de Innovación Educativa (PIE)basado en la elaboracióde casos prácticos. En este trabajo se estudia un caso práctico relativo al análisis de refuerzos de pilares de hormigón armado mediante encamisados metálicos y de hormigón. El estudio se ha desarrollado tomando como base los datos experimentales publicados acerca del refuerzo de pilares con encamisados metálicos y de hormigón frente al comportamiento de pilares patrón

Endoparasitic infections in dogs from rural areas in the Lobos District, Buenos Aires province, Argentina

Dogs are definite hosts for several zoonotic helminthes and protozoan. Rural areas from the Lobos District in the northeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, are mainly used for livestock activity, increasing in this way the number of dogs on farms as well as the human risk of parasitic infections. The aims of this research were to evaluate the endoparasitic infections in dogs from farms in the Lobos District and analyze their zoonotic importance as well as several risk practices and habits of the rural population. Forty-two dog fecal samples obtained in 21 farms were analyzed through coproparasitological methods and coproantigen tests, which resulted in an overall parasite prevalence of 69.05% and 80.95% of the parasitized farms. The most frequent parasites were Trichuris vulpis and Eucoleus aerophila (26.19%), Echinococcus granulosus (19.05%), Uncinaria stenocephala and coccids (14.29%). The analysis of epidemiological files showed several habits of the rural population considered as risk factors associated with the presence of fecal samples parasitized and the presence of E. granulosus on the farms. It is clear that people involved with the farms studied were exposed to several helminthes that could cause serious diseases like cystic echinococcosis, which can become an important public health issue and affect the economy worldwideOs cães são hospedeiros definitivos de vários helmintos e protozoários zoonóticos. As áreas rurais do distrito de Lobos, no nordeste da província de Buenos Aires, Argentina, destinam-se principalmente à atividade pecuária aumentando desta forma o número de cães em fazendas, bem como o risco humano de infecções parasitárias. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar as infecções endoparasitas em cães de fazendas do distrito de Lobos e analisar a sua importância zoonótica, bem como as práticas de risco e hábitos da população rural. Quarenta e duas amostras de fezes de cães obtidos em 21 fazendas foram analisadas pelos métodos coproparasitológicos e testes de coproantígenos, resultando numa prevalência de parasitas de 69,05% e 80,95% das propriedades parasitados. Os parasitas mais frequentes foram Trichuris vulpis e Eucoleus aerophila (26,19%), Echinococcus granulosus (19,05%), Uncinaria stenocephala e coccídeos (14,29%). A análise dos arquivos epidemiológicos mostraram vários hábitos da população rural como fatores de risco associados com a presença de amostras fecais parasitadas e a presença de E. granulosus em propriedades rurais. É evidente que as pessoas das fazendas estudadas foram expostas a vários helmintos que podem causar doenças graves como equinococose cística, que constitui importante problema de saúde pública e econômico a nível mundial.Fil: Dopchiz, Marcela Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lavallén, Carla Mariela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bongiovanni, Roberto Antonio. Municipalidad de Lobos. Departamento de Bromatología y Zoonosis. Lobos; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Patricia Verónica. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Elissondo, María Celina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Yannarella, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Denegri, Guillermo Maria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin