Evaluating eREVERSE auctions (EeRA): A research note

This eGISE network paper seeks to evaluate issues relating to the implementation of electronic reverse auctions (eRA) within local government procurement processes. The adoption of an eRA invites pre-qualified suppliers to compete with each other for a specified good or service. Consequently, there is a unique opportunity for the buyer to receive a reduced cost through the successful bidder. However, the literature identifies a number of adverse effects within these arrangements depending upon the nature of the buyer/supplier relationship. The objectives of the research involves identifying a set of business scenarios to demonstrate the impact of different eRA strategies in this respect. This will be achieved through a structured case analysis approach to enable qualitative data to be modelled through a visual toolset simulation. It is believed the outcome of the investigation will provide valuable insights into the complexities associated with the eProcurement process

Ground State Entanglement in One Dimensional Translationally Invariant Quantum Systems

We examine whether it is possible for one-dimensional translationally-invariant Hamiltonians to have ground states with a high degree of entanglement. We present a family of translationally invariant Hamiltonians {H_n} for the infinite chain. The spectral gap of H_n is Omega(1/poly(n)). Moreover, for any state in the ground space of H_n and any m, there are regions of size m with entanglement entropy Omega(min{m,n}). A similar construction yields translationally-invariant Hamiltonians for finite chains that have unique ground states exhibiting high entanglement. The area law proven by Hastings gives a constant upper bound on the entanglement entropy for 1D ground states that is independent of the size of the region but exponentially dependent on 1/Delta, where Delta is the spectral gap. This paper provides a lower bound, showing a family of Hamiltonians for which the entanglement entropy scales polynomially with 1/Delta. Previously, the best known such bound was logarithmic in 1/Delta.Comment: 22 pages. v2 is the published version, with additional clarifications, publisher's version available at http://jmp.aip.org/resource/1/jmapaq/v51/i

Is thrombophilia a major risk factor for deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities among Lebanese patients?

R Kreidy1, N Irani-Hakime21Department of Vascular Surgery, 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Saint George Hospital, University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, LebanonAim: Factor V Leiden (R506Q) mutation is the most commonly observed inherited genetic abnormality related to vein thrombosis. Lebanon has one of the highest frequencies of this mutation in the world with a prevalence of 14.4% in the general population. The aim of this study is to define risk factors including inherited genetic abnormalities among Lebanese patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. We report the clinical outcome of patients with thrombophilia.Methods: From January 1998 to January 2008, 162 patients (61 males and 101 females) were diagnosed with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. Mean age was 61 years (range: 21 to 95 years).Results: The most frequent risk factors for vein thrombosis were surgery, advanced age, obesity, and cancer. Twenty-five patients had thrombophilia, 16 patients had factor V Leiden (R506Q) mutation, and seven patients had MTHFR C677T mutation. Ninety-two percent of patients screened for thrombophilia were positive. Screening was requested in young patients (16), patients with recurrent (11), spontaneous (8), and extensive (5) venous thrombosis, familial history (5), pregnancy (4), estroprogestative treatment (3), and air travel (1). Nine patients had one, 11 patients had two, and five had three of these conditions. Follow-up (6 to 120 months) of these 25 patients treated with antivitamin K did not reveal recurrences or complications related to venous thromboembolism.Conclusion: Factor V Leiden mutation followed by MTHFR mutation are the most commonly observed genetic abnormalities in these series. Defining risk factors and screening for thrombophilia when indicated reduce recurrence rate and complications. Recommendations for thrombophilia screening will be proposed.Keywords: venous thrombosis, risk factors, genetics, factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677

A Spatial Cliff-Ord-type Model with Heteroskedastic Innovations: Small and Large Sample Results

In this paper we specify a linear Cliff and Ord-type spatial model. The model allows for spatial lags in the dependent variable, the exogenous variables, and disturbances. The innovations in the disturbance process are assumed to be heteroskedastic with an unknown form. We formulate a multi-step GMM/IV type estimation procedure for the parameters of the model. We then establish the limiting distribution of our suggested estimators, and give consistent estimators for their asymptotic variance covariance matrices, utilizing results given in Kelejian and Prucha (2007b). Monte Carlo results are given which suggest that the derived large sample distribution provides a good approximation to the actual small sample distribution of our estimators.

An overview of urban resilience : dimensions, components, and approaches

This paper investigates the theoretical and research literature on urban resilience. It examines various definitions of the concept and explores its social, economic, and institutional dimensions as components of a dynamic system. The study design was a descriptive review of relevant material collected from high quality scientific databases using the purposeful sampling method. The results indicated that the social ecology model of urban resilience provided a coherent and dynamic approach to the study of urban resilience. This model comprises economic, social, and institutional dimensions, the components of which have different functions in relation to urban resilience in the face of changes and pressures. To be effective, the system must be f lexible and contain a variety of resources and functions to make predictions, deal with adverse events, and make provision for possible failures. System stability and balance require active and knowledgeable actors and institutions that enable appropriate communication between them. In this approach, a resilient city not only has the ability to absorb and withstand disasters, but also contains a variety of internal and external resources to regain balance. Resilient systems are the result of a series of decisions and actions at different times. The necessary capacities must be developed in the economic, social, and institutional dimensions to create economic stability, increase awareness and public cooperation, and develop efficient institutions to legislate for and implement urban resilience programs

A decision support system for fostering smart energy efficient districts

The role of ICT is becoming prominent in tackling some of the urban societal challenges such as energy wastage and increasing carbon emissions. In this context, the concept of DAREED aims to deliver an integrated decision support system (DSS) to drive energy efficiency and low carbon activities at both a building and district level. The main aim of this paper is to present the technical concept of the Best Practices recommendation component of the DAREED system. This component seeks to compare and identify existing best practices to recommend practical actions to various stakeholders (e.g. building managers, citizens) in order to improve energy performance considering the global needs of a building. This paper also discusses the context of the three field trial sites (based in UK, Spain and Italy) in which the DAREED platform along with the best practices tool is to be tested and validated.This work evolved in the context of the project DAREED (Decision support Advisor for innovative business models and useR engagement for smart Energy Efficient Districts), www.dareed.eu, a project cofunded by the EC within FP7, Grant agreement no: 609082

Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Carriage State among Elderly Nursing Home Residents in Beirut

Introduction. ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae can cause severe infections, but they are also isolated from the stool of asymptomatic subjects. Faecal carriage of such organism is poorly understood. Methods. First phase of the study was cross-sectional with prevalence and epidemiology of ESBL faecal carriage in two nursing homes in Beirut: 57 residents in the first (NH1) and 151 residents in the second (NH2). In second phase, faecal swabs from cohort of NH1 residents were examined for carriage at six-week intervals over three-month period. Residents’ charts were reviewed to assess carriage risk factors. Results. Over 3 consecutive samplings at NH1, 81% of residents were at least one-time carriers with 50% at the first round, 60.4% at the second, and 74.5% at the last one. At NH2, 68.2% of residents were carriers. Constipation (in NH1) and antibiotic intake (in NH2) were significantly associated with higher ESBL faecal carriage while the length of stay at the nursing home (in NH2) was associated with less carriage. Conclusion. Faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae is high among nursing home patients in Beirut. The rate of carriage changes rapidly and significantly over time either with multiple factors playing a possible role like outbreak spreading, antibiotic, and health care system exposure

A Discussion Paper on Stigmatizing Features of Diabetes

Aim This manuscript aims to describe stigmatizing features of diabetes. Design This article presents a narrative review of literature pertaining to stigma surrounding diabetes in different contexts. Methods A literature search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science for qualitative studies published between 2007–2017. The search was completed using various combinations of diabetes, T1DM, T2DM, stigma, social/public stigma, internalized/self‐stigma, stigmatization and diabetes‐related stigma in English. The reviewers then independently reviewed the eligible studies (N = 18) to extract data. Results From the 18 studies included in this narrative review, seven features related to stigma in diabetes were identified. People with diabetes were most notably considered and stigmatized as being “sick,” “death reminder,” “rejected marriage candidate,” “self‐inflicting,” “contagiousness,” “requiring a dietary modification” and “drunk or drug abuser.

A discussion paper on stigmatizing features of diabetes

AimThis manuscript aims to describe stigmatizing features of diabetes.DesignThis article presents a narrative review of literature pertaining to stigma surrounding diabetes in different contexts.MethodsA literature search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science for qualitative studies published between 2007–2017. The search was completed using various combinations of diabetes, T1DM, T2DM, stigma, social/public stigma, internalized/self‐stigma, stigmatization and diabetes‐related stigma in English. The reviewers then independently reviewed the eligible studies (N = 18) to extract data.ResultsFrom the 18 studies included in this narrative review, seven features related to stigma in diabetes were identified. People with diabetes were most notably considered and stigmatized as being “sick,” “death reminder,” “rejected marriage candidate,” “self‐inflicting,” “contagiousness,” “requiring a dietary modification” and “drunk or drug abuser.”Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142964/1/nop2112.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142964/2/nop2112_am.pd

Molecular Diagnosis of Human Papillomavirus: Comparison Between Cervical and Vaginal Sampling

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most significant cause of cervical cancer. In view of the number of drawbacks associated with endocervical sampling, the gold standard for HPV detection, this study examined the utility and specificity of vaginal sampling as an alternative for endocervical sampling for the routine detection of HPV. Case study: The study comprised 51 women who tested positive and 54 women who tested negative for endocervical HPV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), confirmed by histopathology. At the time of specimen collection, both (speculum-assisted) endocervical and vaginal (no speculum) scrapings were isolated from HPV positive and negativewomen, and HPV DNA was assessed by PCR using the MY09/MY11 primer system;HPV type was identified by hybridization of PCR products with type-specific biotinylated DNA probes. Each participant served as her own control. HPV was detected in vaginal and cervical scrapes from all HPV-positive but not HPV-negative women. In HPV-positive women the same HPV type was found in vaginal and endocervical scrapings (positive predictive value = 1.0). Conclusion: Correlation between vaginal and endocervical sampling methods was excellent in detecting the presence of HPV DNA and for identifying distinct HPV genotypes. Utilization of vaginal testing for routine HPV detection, and for the long-term follow-up of persistent HPV infection, is therefore recommended