Development of a decision-support tool for TxDOT delivery methods selection

textAlternative delivery methods for transportation infrastructure projects, besides the traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB) approach, have been implemented by private and public sectors since the last decades. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is not the exception, and the fact that TxDOT has available alternatives for delivering its projects lead to the need of a formal decision process. This work presents the existent approaches made by different owner entities to formalize the delivery method decision. This research provides with decision procedures, criteria and principles to develop a quantitative decision-support tool; thus serving any entity seeking for a formalized and documentable Delivery Method decision procedure. A complete decision process was developed specifically for TxDOT, based on the literature review findings, but also on the agency's needs, experience and legal authority. This work intends to help the agency's staff make an informed choice between their available delivery methods: Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build. The decision method was formalized in the way of a Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) process, and organized as a MS Excel decision-support tool. The process incorporates knowledge --in the shape of performance scores-- from TxDOT experts as well as from other organizations that work closely with the agency. This input allows for the creation of a tool fully customized for TxDOT goals and projects' characteristics. The decision-support tool developed incorporates quantitative measures, but is transparent and flexible. It constitutes a rigorous, repeatable and documentable decision process, evaluating characteristics and goals of each project to determine each delivery method’s suitability degree. Overall, the present works provides with guidelines for the development of a decision-support tool regarding the delivery methods decisions for any entity needing to formalize the process. It also specifically contributes to TxDOT, producing a formalized decision process that may be taken as an example for any other entity willing to modify and quantify their current Delivery Method selection procedure. .Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin

The regulatory and Health Technology processes in Europe and drug market access. The case of cystic fibrosis

In order to reach the European market, a new drug needs to receive a positive evaluation regarding its quality, safety and efficacy by regulatory health authorities and also obtain a positive HTA appraisal regarding its cost-effectiveness by HTA bodies. Regulators and HTA bodies are collaborating in several projects at European level in order to harmonize the scientific requirements of both evaluations to the maximum extent possible. The comparison of the regulatory evaluation performed by EMA for Kalydeco and the HTA appraisals issued by several EU bodies exemplifies the dilemma between scientific evidence and local economic considerations and the difficulties in the achievement of harmonization and therefore equity in the access to drugs

Synthesis of Curved Surface Plasmon Fields through Thin Metal Films in a Tandem Array

We describe the generation of plasmonic modes that propagate in a curved trajectory inducing magnetic properties. This is performed by masking a metal surface with two screens containing a randomly distributed set of holes that follow a Gaussian statistic. The diameter of the holes is less than the wavelength of the illuminating plane wave. By implementing scaling and rotations on each screen, we control the correlation trajectory and generate long-range curved plasmonic modes. Using the evanescent character of the electric field, the study is implemented for the transmission of a plasmonic mode propagating in a tandem array of thin metal films offering the possibility to generate localization effects

Uso del lenguaje audiovisual del canal Descocaos TV en la fidelización de sus seguidores en Youtube

La presente investigación busca analizar el uso del lenguaje audiovisual del canal de YouTube Descocaos TV en la fidelización de sus seguidores, por ello, se ha utilizado el diseño de investigación no experimental y un enfoque cualitativo y cuantitativo. Así mismo, la población para el estudio estuvo conformada por 112 videos publicados por el canal de Descocaos TV desde el 2016 hasta julio del 2021, teniendo una muestra no probabilística, conformada por los 2 videos con mayor alcance por año del canal, siendo el total de la muestra 12 videos. Adicionalmente, se utilizó una muestra de 384 seguidores del total de suscriptores para evaluar la fidelización del canal. Los resultados obtenidos en esta investigación en base al análisis se ha determinado que, los videos de Descocaos TV cumplen con el uso del lenguaje audiovisual en un nivel alto. Así mismo, en base a la encuesta se determinó los elementos del lenguaje audiovisual que contribuyen a la fidelización de los seguidores, son la creatividad, contenido divertido y contenido novedoso. Las conclusiones de la investigación demuestran que el uso del lenguaje audiovisual es relevante para la fidelización de los suscriptores del canal, pues la aplicación de todas las dimensiones de este contribuye a generar una experiencia visual atractiva y una conexión entre los suscriptores y el contenido de los videos.The present research seeks to analyze the use of the audiovisual language of the YouTube channel Descocaos TV in the loyalty of its followers, therefore, the nonexperimental research design and a qualitative and quantitative approach have been used. Likewise, the population for the study was made up of 112 videos published by the Descocaos TV channel from 2016 to July 2021, having a nonprobabilistic sample, made up of the 2 videos with the greatest reach per year of the channel, the total being of the sample 12 videos. Additionally, a sample of 384 followers of the total subscribers was used to evaluate the channel's loyalty. The results obtained in this research, based on the analysis, it has been determined that the Descocaos TV videos comply with the use of audiovisual language at a high level. While, the followers have become loyal to the channel, since, they claim to see its videos weekly, they also consider them attractive and entertaining. Likewise, based on the survey, the elements of the audiovisual language that contribute to the loyalty of the followers were determined, are the creativity, fun content and novel content. The conclusions of the research show that the use of audiovisual language is relevant for the loyalty of the channel's subscribers, since the application of all its dimensions contributes to generating an attractive visual experience and a connection between subscribers and the content of the channels videos.Tesi

Adaptation of a culturally relevant nutrition and physical activity program for low-income, Mexican-origin parents with young children.

Latino children experience higher rates of obesity than do non-Latino white children. Family-centered nutrition interventions can slow the rate of weight gain in this population. Niños Sanos, Familia Sana (Healthy Children, Healthy Family) is a 5-year, community-based, participatory research study that targets rural Mexican-origin farmworker families with children aged 2 to 8 years in California's Central Valley. Adaptation of a culturally relevant obesity prevention program involved qualitative research to tailor key obesity prevention messages, pilot testing and implementation of key messages and activities at family nights, and continual modification to incorporate culturally innovative elements. Of the 238 families enrolled, 53% (125) attended the recommended minimum of 5 (of 10 possible) classes during the first year. A university and community partnership can guide development of a culturally tailored obesity prevention program that is suitable for reaching a high-risk Mexican-origin audience through cooperative extension and other public health programs

Genetics of strabismus

Strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes, is the most common ocular disorder in the pediatric population, affecting approximately 2%–4% of children. Strabismus leads to the disruption of binocular vision, amblyopia, social and occupational discrimination, and decreased quality of life. Although it has been recognized since ancient times that strabismus runs in families, its inheritance patterns are complex, and its precise genetic mechanisms have not yet been defined. Family, population, and twin studies all support a role of genetics in the development of strabismus. There are multiple forms of strabismus, and it is not known if they have shared genetic mechanisms or are distinct genetic disorders, which complicates studies of strabismus. Studies assuming that strabismus is a Mendelian disorder have found areas of linkage and candidate genes in particular families, but no definitive causal genes. Genome-wide association studies searching for common variation that contributes to strabismus risk have identified two risk loci and three copy number variants in white populations. Causative genes have been identified in congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders, syndromes in which eye movement is limited or paralyzed. The causative genes lead to either improper differentiation of cranial motor neurons or abnormal axon guidance. This article reviews the evidence for a genetic contribution to strabismus and the recent advances that have been made in the genetics of comitant strabismus, the most common form of strabismus

Elaboración de filtrante a partir de hojas de Mangifera indica “mango” en tres estados de maduración

RESUMEN En el Perú la población consume altas cantidades de infusiones filtrantes de hierbas estos se han utilizado durante mucho tiempo en la medicina tradicional y son bebidas populares en todo el mundo. Ahora, en la era de la globalización, a nivel regional y étnica, se han eliminado las barreras y las infusiones filtrantes, hoy en día están disponibles universalmente por ello nuestro objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el efecto de la variación de tres estados de madurez de hojas de Mangifera indica L. “mango” sobre las propiedades fisicoquímicas, componentes bioactivos y características sensoriales del filtrante. Fue un estudio de tipo aplicado, se empleó un diseño experimental, utilizando como técnica de recolección de datos la observación, también como instrumentos se utilizó la ficha de recolección de datos. La muestra fue elegida empleando criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Obteniendo como resultados en la cuantificación de componentes bioactivos de las hojas semi maduras los fenoles totales en promedio 748,93 µmol EAG/g ms, las características de análisis sensoriales se obtiene la aceptación general de 7 puntos en hojas tiernas o brotes y por último en las características fisicoquímicas las hojas maduras en sólidos totales sobresale con 91,88% de igual forma en sólidos solubles con 52,33 % en promedio, siendo procesados con la hoja de cálculo Microsoft Excel 2016 y Software Stat Graphics V16. Donde se concluye el efecto de la variación de tres estados de madurez de hojas de Mangifera indica L. “mango”, presenta variación significativa en sus tres estados. Palabras claves: Mangifera indica L., filtrante, componentes bioactivos, características sensoriales

Hepatitis C virus molecular evolution: Transmission, disease progression and antiviral therapy

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents an important public health problem worldwide. Reduction of HCV morbidity and mortality is a current challenge owned to several viral and host factors. Virus molecular evolution plays an important role in HCV transmission, disease progression and therapy outcome. The high degree of genetic heterogeneity characteristic of HCV is a key element for the rapid adaptation of the intrahost viral population to different selection pressures (e.g., host immune responses and antiviral therapy). HCV molecular evolution is shaped by different mechanisms including a high mutation rate, genetic bottlenecks, genetic drift, recombination, temporal variations and compartmentalization. These evolutionary processes constantly rearrange the composition of the HCV intrahost population in a staging manner. Remarkable advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanism controlling HCV replication have facilitated the development of a plethora of direct-acting antiviral agents against HCV. As a result, superior sustained viral responses have been attained. The rapidly evolving field of anti-HCV therapy is expected to broad its landscape even further with newer, more potent antivirals, bringing us one step closer to the interferon-free era.Fil: Preciado, María Victoria. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Valva, Pamela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños ; ArgentinaFil: Escobar Gutierrez, Alejandro. Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos; MéxicoFil: Rahal, Paula. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Ruiz Tovar, Karina. Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos; MéxicoFil: Yamasaki, Lilian. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Vazquez Chacon, Carlos. Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos; MéxicoFil: Martinez Guarneros, Armando. Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos; MéxicoFil: Carpio Pedroza, Juan Carlos. Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos; MéxicoFil: Fonseca Coronado, Salvador. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Cruz Rivera, Mayra. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Méxic