Tax exemption and industrial development in Puerto Rico

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1989.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-223).by Leticia Rivera-Torres.Ph.D

Influencia del enfriamiento en las propiedades de titanatos de lantano y litio

Se ha estudiado el efecto de los tratamientos a alta temperatura sobre la estructura y la movilidad del litio para la solución sÛlida Li3xLa2/3-xTiO3 (0.03<x<0.167) con difracciÛn de rayos X a alta temperatura (DRXAT), espectroscopia Raman, RMN y de impedancias. Los patrones de difracción de rayos X (DRX) a temperatura ambiente de muestras enfriadas lentamente muestran una estructura tipo perovskita doblada en el eje c con simetrÌas tetragonales u ortorrómbicas, mientras que las muestras con un enfriamiento r·pido muestran una estructura tipo perovskita c ̇bica simple. Sin embargo, el espectro Raman de las muestras analizadas se interpreta, en todos los casos, con una simetrÌa tetragonal en la que el desorden catiónico se incrementa con el contenido de litio y el tratamiento de enfriamiento. La existencia de microdominios de maclado, orientados a lo largo de las tres direcciones de la perovski- ta, favorece la detecciÛn de la fase c ̇bica en los patrones de DRX. A partir de la espectroscopia de RMN del 7Li, se ha detectado un movimiento bidi- mensional del litio en las muestras ordenadas, el cual se convierte progresivamente en un movimiento tridimensional conforme se incrementa el desorden catiÛnico. Asimismo, la presencia de microdominios hace disminuir la conductividad dc de muestras con contenidos bajos de litio

Performance of an affordable urine self-sampling method for human papillomavirus detection in Mexican women

Introduction: Urine self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervical cancer screening is a non-invasive method that offers several logistical advantages and high acceptability, reducing barriers related to low screening coverage. This study developed and evaluated the performance of a low-cost urine self-sampling method for HPV-testing and explored the acceptability and feasibility of potential implementation of this alternative in routine screening. Methods: A series of sequential laboratory assays examined the impact of several pre-analytical conditions for obtaining DNA from urine and subsequent HPV detection. Initially, we assessed the effect of ethylaminediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a DNA preservative examining several variables including EDTA concentration, specimen storage temperature, time between urine collection and DNA extraction, and first-morning micturition versus convenience sample collection. We further evaluated the agreement of HPV-testing between urine and clinician-collected cervical samples among 95 women. Finally, we explored the costs of self-sampling supplies as well as the acceptability and feasibility of urine self-sampling among women and healthcare workers. Results: Our results revealed higher DNA concentrations were obtained when using a 40mM EDTA solution, storing specimens at 25°C and extracting DNA within 72 hrs. of urine collection, regardless of using first-morning micturition or a convenience sampling. We observed good agreement (Kappa = 0.72) between urine and clinician-collected cervical samples for HPV detection. Furthermore, urine self-sampling was an affordable method (USD 1.10), well accepted among cervical cancer screening users, healthcare workers, and decision-makers. Conclusion: These results suggest urine self-sampling is feasible and appropriate alternative for HPV-testing in HPV-based screening programs in lower-resource contexts

Presence of histological risk factors in radical cystectomy pieces with tumor and its association with mortality by age

Introducción: La probabilidad de padecer un tumor vesical a lo largo de la vida es de más del 4% en hombres y de alrededor del 1,2% en mujeres, incidencia que aumenta con la edad, lo que supone más de 100000 nuevos casos anuales de cáncer vesical en Europa, de los cuales un 30% tendrán invasión muscular. En 2006 provocó el 4,1 % y 1,8 % del total de muertes por cáncer en los varones y las mujeres europeos, por lo que el cálculo del pronóstico es fundamental para optimizar el tratamiento adecuado a cada paciente. Son marcadores de riesgo establecidos la estirpe y el subtipo histológico junto con el grado y el estadio tumoral, al igual que la invasión linfovascular. Hemos realizado un estudio para valorar la relación existente entre la edad y dichos marcadores de riesgo con la mortalidad. Material y Métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio retrospectivo observacional, incluyendo los pacientes que se realizaron cistectomía por tumor infiltrante en el Hospital Universitario San Cecilio de Granada (España) desde enero de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2011. Se recogieron datos sobre características histológicas de la pieza quirúrgica. Resultados: De las 172 cistectomías realizadas durante ese periodo, el 75% se incluyeron en el estudio (129 pacientes) por encontrar en la pieza tumor transicional. La edad media a la cistectomía fue de 66.69 años (35 a 85 años). Prácticamente todos los tumores fueron de alto grado, en un 73% de los casos no existía diferenciación, y la diferenciación escamosa apareció en un 19%. Se observó la presencia de carcinoma in situ en el 7.1%, invasión vascular en 34.6%, linfática en 21.4% y perineural en 19.5%. El patrón de crecimiento fue papilar en 9.3% y sólido en 29.5%. Tras dividir la muestra en grupos: - grupo 1: pacientes con 65 años o menores, y - grupo 2: pacientes mayores de 65 años. Apreciamos que el grupo 1 tenía mayor incidencia de invasión vascular sin diferencias en otros marcadores. La mortalidad fue similar en ambos grupos y no se influyó por la diferencia en la invasión vascular. En los pacientes del grupo 1 en cuya pieza de cistectomía se especifica diferenciación escamosa tienen más riesgo de morir por tumor. En el grupo 2, la invasión vascular se asocia significativamente con el riesgo de mortalidad por tumor y global; la invasión perineural también se asocia con la mortalidad cáncer específica. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con 65 años o menos tienen mayor incidencia de permeación vascular, aunque ésta no influye en la mortalidad. Sin embargo, en pacientes mayores de 65 años, donde la invasión vascular es menos frecuente, ésta afecta más claramente a la mortalidad tanto global como cáncer específica. Otros factores, como la diferenciación escamosa en jóvenes y la permeación perineural en mayores, también influyen sobre la mortalidad específica por tumor.Introduction: The probability of having a bladder cancer over the lifetime is more than 4% in men and about 1.2% in women. This proportion increases with age, representing more than 100,000 new cases of bladder cancer annually in Europe, 30 % of which have muscle invasion. In 2006 caused 4.1% and 1.8% of all cancer deaths in men and women in Europe, so prognosis calculation is essential to optimize the appropriate treatment for each patient. The lineage and the histological subtype along with the tumor stage and grade, as lymphovascular invasion are established like risk markers. We conducted a study to assess the relationship between age and these risk markers with mortality. Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study, including patients who underwent cystectomy for invasive tumor at the University Hospital San Cecilio of Granada (Spain) from January 2000 to December 2011. Data were collected on histology from the surgical specimen. Results: Of the 172 patients who were performed a cystectomy during that period, 75% were included in the study (129 patients) because of finding transitional tumor in the surgical piece. The average age at cystectomy was 66.69 years (35-85 years). Virtually all were high grade tumors, in 73% of cases there was no differentiation, and squamous differentiation appeared by 19%. We observed the presence of carcinoma in situ in 7.1%, vascular invasion by 34.6%, lymphatic by 21.4% and perineural by 19.5%. The pattern of growth was papillary by 9.3% and solid by 29.5%. After dividing the sample into groups: - Group 1: patients 65 years or younger, and - Group 2: patients over 65 years We appreciate that group 1 had a higher incidence of vascular invasion without differences in other markers. Mortality was similar in both groups and was not influenced by the difference in vascular invasion. In patients from group 1 whose cystectomy piece were specified squamous differentiation are more likely to die from tumor. In group 2, vascular invasion was significantly associated with the risk of overall and tumor-specific mortality; also perineural invasion is also associated with cancer-specific mortality. Conclusions: Patients aged 65 years or less have a higher incidence of vascular permeation, although this does not affect mortality. However, in patients over 65 years, where vascular invasion is less common, vascular permeation affects to global and specific cancer mortality more clearly. Other factors, such as squamous differentiation in young patients and perineural permeation in older patients also influence tumor-specific mortality

Growth and yield models for black beans under magnetization and pH variation in a greenhouse

Objective: To estimate growth and yield variations in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) treated with a magnetized nutrient solution considering two factors: magnet exposure time and pH level. The significance of this crop lies in its nutritional and economic value. Design/Methodology/Approach: We used a hydroponic system with magnetized Steiner nutrient solution. The design was completely randomized, with a 4 x 6 factorial treatment arrangement and three replications. Factor A comprised exposure times (0.333 hours, 2 hours, chronic, and without magnetization), while Factor B covered solutions with different pH levels (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8). We then applied a multiple regression analysis using the SAS software. &nbsp; Results: Models for vegetative growth variables (plant height, root length, root dry weight, and foliar biomass) and seed yield components (number of pods, number of grains per pod) were statistically significant (p&lt;0.0001). Coefficients of determination ranged from 59.7 % to 82 %, percentages considered appropriate to explain the observed variability. Study limitations/Implications: While the models showed acceptable coefficients of determination, it is essential to consider other factors that were not assessed in this study: exposure to sunlight, insect influence, and diseases that could impact the responses of the bean crop. Findings/Conclusions: Appropriate models to describe vegetative growth and seed yield of the common bean, concerning magnetization time and nutrient solution acidity, include variables such as plant height, root length, root dry weight, foliar biomass, total biomass, number of pods, and number of grains per pod

Adaptive multi-interventional trial platform to improve patient care for fibrotic interstitial lung diseases

BACKGROUND Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (fILDs) are a heterogeneous group of lung diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite a large increase in the number of clinical trials in the last 10 years, current regulatory-approved management approaches are limited to two therapies that prevent the progression of fibrosis. The drug development pipeline is long and there is an urgent need to accelerate this process. This manuscript introduces the concept and design of an innovative research approach to drug development in fILD: a global Randomised Embedded Multifactorial Adaptive Platform in fILD (REMAP-ILD). METHODS Description of the REMAP-ILD concept and design: the specific terminology, design characteristics (multifactorial, adaptive features, statistical approach), target population, interventions, outcomes, mission and values, and organisational structure. RESULTS The target population will be adult patients with fILD, and the primary outcome will be a disease progression model incorporating forced vital capacity and mortality over 12 months. Responsive adaptive randomisation, prespecified thresholds for success and futility will be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of interventions. REMAP-ILD embraces the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion for patients and researchers, and prioritises an open-science approach to data sharing and dissemination of results. CONCLUSION By using an innovative and efficient adaptive multi-interventional trial platform design, we aim to accelerate and improve care for patients with fILD. Through worldwide collaboration, novel analytical methodology and pragmatic trial delivery, REMAP-ILD aims to overcome major limitations associated with conventional randomised controlled trial approaches to rapidly improve the care of people living with fILD

Adaptive multi-interventional trial platform to improve patient care for fibrotic interstitial lung diseases

BACKGROUND: Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (fILDs) are a heterogeneous group of lung diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite a large increase in the number of clinical trials in the last 10 years, current regulatory-approved management approaches are limited to two therapies that prevent the progression of fibrosis. The drug development pipeline is long and there is an urgent need to accelerate this process. This manuscript introduces the concept and design of an innovative research approach to drug development in fILD: a global Randomised Embedded Multifactorial Adaptive Platform in fILD (REMAP-ILD). METHODS: Description of the REMAP-ILD concept and design: the specific terminology, design characteristics (multifactorial, adaptive features, statistical approach), target population, interventions, outcomes, mission and values, and organisational structure. RESULTS: The target population will be adult patients with fILD, and the primary outcome will be a disease progression model incorporating forced vital capacity and mortality over 12 months. Responsive adaptive randomisation, prespecified thresholds for success and futility will be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of interventions. REMAP-ILD embraces the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion for patients and researchers, and prioritises an open-science approach to data sharing and dissemination of results. CONCLUSION: By using an innovative and efficient adaptive multi-interventional trial platform design, we aim to accelerate and improve care for patients with fILD. Through worldwide collaboration, novel analytical methodology and pragmatic trial delivery, REMAP-ILD aims to overcome major limitations associated with conventional randomised controlled trial approaches to rapidly improve the care of people living with fILD

Population-based prevalence of cervical infection with human papillomavirus genotypes 16 and 18 and other high risk types in Tlaxcala, Mexico

This study was supported by the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, the Coordinación de Investigación en Salud del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, the Secretaría de Salud Tlaxcala, the Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres, and the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología [FOSISS 2013 202468]. Additional support has been provided by Roche Diagnostics, BD Diagnostics, DICIPA and Arbor Vita Corporation. The study sponsors did not played a role in designing the study, collecting, analyzing or interpreting the data, writing the report, or submitting this paper for publication. UC Berkeley Center for Global Public Health, Schoeneman Grant, Joint Medical Program Thesis Grant, and Cancer Research UK (C569/A10404)