Predictive and Prognosis Factors of Clinical Utility in Mesothelioma

The constant research in therapeutics for mesothelioma has been improving their tumor response and overall survival, generating the need to propose markers that guide the doctor’s therapeutic approach in a more precise way. Recently, different predictive factors have been proposed, such as mesothelin-related peptides, fibulin-3, and osteopontin associated with an image giving information about the probability of tumor response to a therapeutic agent or a combination of agents. As is well known, the importance of prognostic markers of utility lies in providing prospective information on the evolution of the patient and thus their ability to guide therapeutic decisions. Although the clinical stage and histology are currently the most described prognostic factors, recent studies have shown interest in the expression of estrogen receptor beta and calretinin, among other promising factors. Given the heterogeneity of this broad field of research in mesothelioma, it is necessary to objectively present the prognostic and predictive factors of greater clinical utility

Sparse resultants and straight-line programs

We prove that the sparse resultant, redefined by D'Andrea and Sombra and by Esterov as a power of the classical sparse resultant, can be evaluated in a number of steps which is polynomial in its degree, its number of variables and the size of the exponents of the monomials in the Laurent polynomials involved in its definition. Moreover, we design a probabilistic algorithm of this order of complexity to compute a straight-line program that evaluates it within this number of steps.Fil: Jeronimo, Gabriela Tali. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló"; ArgentinaFil: Sabia, Juan Vicente Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló"; Argentin

Essays in Trade and Uncertainty

Firms face uncertainty on many different dimensions: demand level, productivity and input prices, taxes and regulations. Furthermore, some argue that uncertainty is higher in recessions (cf. Bloom et al. (2012)) and one of the causes of the slow recovery during the recent Great Recession (cf. Stock and Watson (2012) and Baker et al. (2012)). However, most trade models assume uncertainty away by considering a deterministic framework or introduce uncertainty in a very limited way. In this dissertation, I argue that uncertainty can be particularly important for two topics in international trade: (i) firms’ global sourcing decisions and (ii) firms’ exports decision when facing multiple sources of uncertainty. Firms’ decisions to enter new foreign markets, exit from foreign markets that they are currently serving and whether to vertically integrate or outsource with foreign firms (i.e. their global sourcing decisions). Not only do these decisions require high sunk costs (cf. Roberts and Tybout (1997) and Antras and Helpman (2004)) but they are also subject to an additional set of uncertain conditions, e.g. exchange rates, foreign market conditions, and foreign policies. In particular, these potential multiple sources of uncertainty can work as an amplification mechanism, specially during recessions. The first chapter discusses the key insights that motivates my dissertation. The second chapter develops a dynamic model of international trade with heterogeneous firms who endogenously decide when to start exporting to foreign markets, under which sourcing scheme, and when to exit foreign markets in a framework with foreign demand uncertainty. The third chapter focuses on empirically evaluating the theoretical model of the previous chapter using U.S. firm-level data. I find that integration reduces the probability that a firm exits by as much as 8%, while uncertainty increases this probability by 23%. The fourth chapter looks into the interaction between demand and policy uncertainty during the Great Trade Collapse and is joint work with Kyle Handley and Nuno Limao. We examine if the resulting change in policy uncertainty initially deepened the collapse and then helped reverse it, when the worst fears of protection were not realized

On the Multiplicity of Isolated Roots of Sparse Polynomial Systems

We give formulas for the multiplicity of any affine isolated zero of a generic polynomial system of n equations in n unknowns with prescribed sets of monomials. First, we consider sets of supports such that the origin is an isolated root of the corresponding generic system and prove formulas for its multiplicity. Then, we apply these formulas to solve the problem in the general case, by showing that the multiplicity of an arbitrary affine isolated zero of a generic system with given supports equals the multiplicity of the origin as a common zero of a generic system with an associated family of supports. The formulas obtained are in the spirit of the classical Bernstein’s theorem, in the sense that they depend on the combinatorial structure of the system, namely, geometric numerical invariants associated to the supports, such as mixed volumes of convex sets and, alternatively, mixed integrals of convex functions.Fil: Herrero, Maria Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Jeronimo, Gabriela Tali. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Matemática; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló"; ArgentinaFil: Sabia, Juan Vicente Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Matemáticas "Luis A. Santaló"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ciclo Básico Común; Argentin

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Fiber-Reinforced Acrylic Thermoplastic Composites: Effect of Salt Fog Aging on Tensile, Spectrophotometric, and Thermogravimetric Properties

The prioritization of agroindustry fiber wastes as raw materials in development of composites has become a challenge to obtain higher value-added products with targeted applications. In this study, natural fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites were elaborated using two fiber sizes (605 μm and 633 μm) of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and acrylic thermoplastic resin. In doing so, resin and fibers were mixed at room temperature by maintaining filler content of 42 wt. % for all formulations. In addition, thermomechanical compression moulding was used as composite manufacturing process at four processing temperatures (80, 100, 120, and 140°C). All formulations were subsequently exposed to salt fog spray aging for 330 hours. The effects of accelerated aging process on mechanical, spectrophotometric, and thermogravimetric characteristics were studied. On the whole, results have shown feasibility to use a facile method to elaborate composites based on waterborne acrylic matrix and OPEFB fibers. After salt spray testing, it was observed detectable levels of Aspergillus spp. of fungi in all samples, as a result of phylogenetic organization of microbial activity. Tensile behavior of composites was significantly influenced by processing temperature and fiber size. In broad terms, their overall mechanical properties were improved by the increase of temperature. Additionally, infrared spectroscopy results showed important bands mainly associated to biodegradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. On the other hand, two degradation stages were mainly identified in thermogravimetric evaluation. Noteworthy, aging had no significant effect on the thermal properties of composites.Fil: Valle, Vladimir. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; EcuadorFil: Aguilar, Alex. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; EcuadorFil: Kreiker, Jeronimo Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Raggiotti, Barbara Belen. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba. Departamento de Ingeniería Civil. Centro de Investigación, Desarrollo y Transferencia de Materiales y Calidad; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cadena, Francisco. Facultad de Ingeniería Química y Agroindustrial; Ecuado

Study of peanut husk ashes properties to promote its use as supplementary material in cement mortars

Se estudiaron en el laboratorio las propiedades de las cenizas de cáscaras de maní como un potencial material suplementario para morteros de cemento. Las cenizas fueron preparadas en un horno eléctrico a 500, 650 y 800 °C durante 180 minutos y utilizadas sin ningún acondicionamiento posterior. La caracterización de las cenizas incluye Fluorescencia de Rayos-X, Difracción de Rayos-X, Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido (SEM) y determinación de la actividad puzolanica por conductimetria. Las cenizas fueron ensayadas en morteros reemplazando un 15% de este material por cemento Portland. Se prepararon probetas usando una proporción cemento:arena 1:3 en peso con una relación agua/cemento 0,5 v/v. Las probetas fueron ensayadas para determinar la resistencia a la compresión a edades entre 7 y 120 días. Se observó que las condiciones de calcinación de las cáscaras de maní influyen en el comportamiento de las cenizas, siendo 500 °C la temperatura óptima de calcinación. Los ensayos de resistencia a la compresión arrojaron valores cercanos al 70 % respecto del patrón a los 7 días y mayores al 80% luego de 28 días para morteros preparados con cenizas.The properties of peanut husk ashes as a potential supplementary material in cement mortars were studied in the laboratory. The ashes were prepared in an electric furnace at 500, 650 and 800 ºC during 180 minutes and used without further treatment. The characterization of ashes includes X-Ray fluorescence, X-Ray diffraction, SEM, and determination of pozzolanic activity by conductivity. The ashes were tested in mortars as partial substitute of Portland cement, in a rate of 15 % of substitution. The compression strength of mortars was evaluated between 7 and 120 days, for probes prepared using a proportion of cement:sand of 1:3 on weight with water/cement ratio of 0,5 v/v. It was observed that the calcinations conditions influenced the behavior of the ashes, giving better results the ashes obtained at 500 ºC. The compression tests showed values near to 70% at 7 days but higher than 80% after 28 days for mortars prepared with ashes, respect to the cement mortar reference.Fil: Kreiker, Jeronimo Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Andrada, Carina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba. Departamento de Ingeniería Civil. Centro de Investigación, Desarrollo y Transferencia de Materiales y Calidad; ArgentinaFil: Positieri, María Josefina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba. Departamento de Ingeniería Civil. Centro de Investigación, Desarrollo y Transferencia de Materiales y Calidad; ArgentinaFil: Gatani, Mariana Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Quintana Crespo, Enrique. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba; Argentin

MAPEAMENTO DE SUPERFÍCIES TOPOGRÁFICAS COM USO DE DRONES E TÉCNICAS DE AEROFOTOGRAMETRIA

Technologies for obtaining topographic data are constantly evolving, especially with the emergence of drones, which have made it possible to capture images for various purposes, such as building inspections and survey areas. In topography, the modeling of terrain with the interpretation of photographs obtained through flight is called aerophotogrammetry. Another well-spread process is carried out with the use of a total station, in which data are collected with millimetric precision that allow the planialtimetric characteristics of the field to materialize. In view of the above, this study analyzed the results obtained on the processes of capturing aerial images with the use of drone and obtaining points with the use of total station for the generation of a topographic surface. This study provided the learning of programscomputational for the digital processing of information. The analysis of the results of the generated surfaces was considered satisfactory, although these results may have a better accuracy due to the options of the digital processing of aerophotogrammetry. This study used the default settings of the computer program used for digital processing to generate the point cloud.Las tecnologías para la obtención de datos topográficos están en constante evolución, especialmente con la aparición de drones, que han permitido capturar imágenes para diversos fines, como inspecciones de edificios y áreas de reconocimiento. En topografía, el modelado del terreno con la interpretación de fotografías obtenidas a través del vuelo se llama aerofotogrametría. Otro proceso bien extendido se lleva a cabo con el uso de una estación total, en la que se recogen datos con precisión milimétrica que permiten materializar las características planialtimétricas del campo. En vista de lo anterior, este estudio realizó el análisis de los resultados obtenidos sobre los procesos de captura de imágenes aéreas con el uso de drones y obtención de puntos con el uso de estación total para la generación de una superficie topográfica. Este estudio proporcionó el aprendizaje de programas computacional para el procesamiento digital de la información. El análisis de los resultados de las superficies generadas se consideró satisfactorio, aunque estos resultados pueden tener una mejor precisión debido a las opciones del procesamiento digital de la aerofotogrametría. Este estudio utilizó la configuración predeterminada del programa informático utilizado para el procesamiento digital para generar la nube de puntos.  As tecnologias para obtenção de dados topográficos estão em constante evolução, sobretudo com o surgimento dos drones, que possibilitaram a captura de imagens para diversas finalidades, como inspeções prediais e levantamento de áreas. Na topografia, a modelagem de terrenos com a interpretação de fotografias obtidas mediante voo é denominada aerofotogrametria. Um outro processo bem difundido é realizado com uso de estação total, no qual são coletados dados com precisão milimétrica que permitem materializar as características planialtimétricas do campo. Face ao exposto, esse estudo efetuou a análise dos resultados obtidos sobre os processos de captura de imagens aéreas com o uso de drone e obtenção de pontos com o uso de estação total para geração de uma superfície topográfica. Este estudo propiciou o aprendizado de programas computacionais para o processamento digital das informações. A análise dos resultados das superfícies geradas foi considerada satisfatória, embora esses resultados possam ter uma melhor precisão em função das opções do processamento digital da aerofotogrametria. Este estudo utilizou as configurações padrão do programa computacional utilizado para o processamento digital para geração da nuvem de pontos.  As tecnologias para obtenção de dados topográficos estão em constante evolução, sobretudo com o surgimento dos drones, que possibilitaram a captura de imagens para diversas finalidades, como inspeções prediais e levantamento de áreas. Na topografia, a modelagem de terrenos com a interpretação de fotografias obtidas mediante voo é denominada aerofotogrametria. Um outro processo bem difundido é realizado com uso de estação total, no qual são coletados dados com precisão milimétrica que permitem materializar as características planialtimétricas do campo. Face ao exposto, esse estudo efetuou a análise dos resultados obtidos sobre os processos de captura de imagens aéreas com o uso de drone e obtenção de pontos com o uso de estação total para geração de uma superfície topográfica. Este estudo propiciou o aprendizado de programascomputacionais para o processamento digital das informações. A análise dos resultados das superfícies geradas foi considerada satisfatória, embora esses resultados possam ter uma melhor precisão em função das opções do processamento digital da aerofotogrametria. Este estudo utilizou as configurações padrão do programa computacional utilizado para o processamento digital para geração da nuvem de pontos.

Water Absorption Behavior of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) and Oil Palm Kernel Shell (OPKS) as Fillers in Acrylic Thermoplastic Composites

In recent years, the use of oil palm wastes has been an interesting approach for the development of sustainable polymer matrix composites. Nevertheless, the water absorption behavior of these materials is one of the most critical factors for their performance over time. In this study, the water uptake characteristics of acrylic thermoplastic matrix composites reinforced separately with oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and oil palm kernel shell (OPKS) were evaluated through immersion test in distilled water. The specimens of both composites were manufactured using the compression molding technique at three temperatures (80, 100, and 120 °C) using different particle sizes (425–600 and 600–850 µm). The composites, before and after the absorption test, were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The evaluation was complemented by the application of the Fickian diffusion model. Overall results showed that water absorption capacity decreased at a higher processing temperature and a larger particle size. In particular, it was observed that the type of reinforcement also influenced both water absorption and diffusivity. OPKS/acrylic and OPEFB/acrylic composites reached a maximum absorption of 77 and 86%, with diffusivities of 7.3 × 10−9 and 15.2 × 10−9 m2/min, respectively. Experimental evidence suggested that the absorption mechanism of the composites followed a non-Fickian model (n < 1.0).Fil: Almeida Naranjo, Cristina E.. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; Ecuador. Universidad de Las Américas; EcuadorFil: Valle, Vladimir. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; EcuadorFil: Aguilar, Alex. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; EcuadorFil: Cadena, Francisco. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; EcuadorFil: Kreiker, Jeronimo Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Raggiotti, Barbara Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba. Departamento de Ingeniería Civil. Centro de Investigación, Desarrollo y Transferencia de Materiales y Calidad; Argentin

Mechanical and processing properties of recycled PET and LDPE-HDPE composite materials for building components

Although several reports can be found in the literature about the recycling of plastic materials, only a few focus on recovering and molding them in a new process. Plastic material blends can be fabricated using several techniques, which allows the molding of a compound adaptable to each needed performance. This fact favors the recycling by allowing the use of mixed wastes without major processes, avoiding expensive treatments. This research work analyzes the mechanical properties of a material conformed by 100% recycled plastics: polyethylene terephthalate and low-/high-density polyethylene without previous separation or washing and drying pretreatments. Its macro and microscopic structure was studied and described, and formulations of different compound rates were analyzed. Mechanical resistance was around 60% of a material composed of virgin materials in compressive, flexural, and tensile strength tests. Its potential application to building components manufacture is analyzed.Fil: Gonzalez Laria, Julian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Gaggino, Rosana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Kreiker, Jeronimo Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Peisino, Lucas Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Positieri, María Josefina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba. Grupo de Investigación En Tecnologías de Materiales y Calidad; ArgentinaFil: Cappelletti, Ariel Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; Argentin