Monte Carlo Estimation of the Density of the Sum of Dependent Random Variables

We study an unbiased estimator for the density of a sum of random variables that are simulated from a computer model. A numerical study on examples with copula dependence is conducted where the proposed estimator performs favourably in terms of variance compared to other unbiased estimators. We provide applications and extensions to the estimation of marginal densities in Bayesian statistics and to the estimation of the density of sums of random variables under Gaussian copula dependence

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: years ahead of her time.

Women phsycians in the United States were virtually nonexistent in the early to mid-1800s. Traditional medical schools still did not accept women, and few secretarian or eclectic medical schools were beginning to open their doors to female students. In 1849 at Geneva College, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to achieve a medical degree in the United States.1 At the time of the Civil War, the few women who had managed to obtain medical degrees mainly served as nurses in the war, because society was not yet ready to accept the female physician.2 Dr. Mary Edwards Walker would help change the role of women physicians, becoming not only a valuable surgeon for the Union Army, but also a catalyst for the introduction and advancement of women in medicine

El Mendozazo del agua entre arte y política : una aproximación a partir de "La rebelión de las hojas"

El trabajo procura abordar las complicidades entre arte y política que emergen alrededor de la defensa del agua como bien común en Mendoza, formando parte de la elaboración de una narrativa crítica al neoliberalismo. Lo hace a partir de una experiencia particular, la obra de teatro “La rebelión de las hojas". La obra fue estrenada el 31 de enero de 2020 y es una especie de “crónica teatral" de la insurrección popular que vivió Mendoza a fines de 2019, pues narra aquel acontecimiento político que tuvo lugar cuando las intensas movilizaciones extendidas por todo el territorio, obligaron al gobernador a dar marcha atrás a la “reforma" legislativa que había impulsado para destrabar los proyectos de megaminería que hay en la provincia. A partir de la observación participante y la realización de entrevistas, la ponencia busca reconstruir algunos asuntos clave de ese proyecto artístico-político, vinculados a su dinámica de producción (colectiva, independiente, contestataria) y la crítica cultural que vehiculiza. Las prácticas artísticas han acompañado la defensa del agua como bien común en Mendoza desde sus comienzos, siendo una parte constitutiva de la lucha contra la minería “contaminante, secante y saqueante". En efecto, existe hoy una inagotable producción de fotografías, videos, canciones y murales en diferentes localidades y departamentos de la provincia que dan testimonio de esa lucha. Por ello, esas prácticas artísticas constituyen una de las tantas ventanas a partir de las cuales podemos asomarnos para observar el mundo.Fil: Salomone, Mariano J.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociale

Detection of "bath salts" and other novel psychoactive substances in hair samples of ecstasy/MDMA/"Molly" users

BACKGROUND: Ecstasy (MDMA) in the US is commonly adulterated with other drugs, but research has not focused on purity of ecstasy since the phenomenon of “Molly” (ecstasy marketed as pure MDMA) arose in the US. METHODS: We piloted a rapid electronic survey in 2015 to assess use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and other drugs among 679 nightclub/festival-attending young adults (age 18–25) in New York City. A quarter (26.1%) of the sample provided a hair sample to be analyzed for the presence of select synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”) and some other NPS. Samples were analyzed using fully validated UHPLC-MS/MS methods. To examine consistency of self-report, analyses focused on the 48 participants with an analyzable hair sample who reported lifetime ecstasy/MDMA/Molly use. RESULTS: Half (50.0%) of the hair samples contained MDMA, 47.9% contained butylone, and 10.4% contained methylone. Of those who reported no lifetime use of “bath salts”, stimulant NPS, or unknown pills or powders, about four out of ten (41.2%) tested positive for butylone, methylone, alpha-PVP, 5/6-APB, or 4-FA. Racial minorities were more likely to test positive for butylone or test positive for NPS after reporting no lifetime use. Frequent nightclub/festival attendance was the strongest predictor of testing positive for MDMA, butylone, or methylone. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that many ecstasy-using nightclub/festival attendees may be unintentionally using “bath salts” or other NPS. Prevention and harm reduction education is needed for this population and “drug checking” (e.g., pill testing) may be beneficial for those rejecting abstinence

Transition to a Sustainable Circular Plastics Economy in The Netherlands: Discourse and Policy Analysis

The circular economy (CE) has become a key sustainability discourse in the last decade. The Netherlands seeks to become fully circular by 2050 and the EU has set ambitious circularity targets in its CE Action Plan of 2015. The plastics sector, in particular, has gained a lot of attention as it is a priority area of both the EU and Dutch CE policies. However, there has been little research on the different and often contested discourses, governance processes and policy mechanisms guiding the transition to a circular economy and society. This paper aims to fill these gaps by asking what circular discourses and policies are being promoted in the Netherlands and what sustainability implications and recommendations can be drawn from it. It does so through a mix of media analysis, policy analysis, semi-structured interviews, and surveys using Q-methodology. Results indicate a dominance of technocentric imaginaries, and a general lack of discussion on holistic, and transformative visions, which integrate the full social, political, and ecological implication of a circular future. To address those challenges, this research brings key policy insights and recommendations which can help both academics and practitioners better understand and implement the transition towards a sustainable circular plastics economy