Quantum Cournot equilibrium for the Hotelling-Smithies model of product choice

This paper demonstrates the quantization of a spatial Cournot duopoly model with product choice, a two stage game focusing on non-cooperation in locations and quantities. With quantization, the players can access a continuous set of strategies, using continuous variable quantum mechanical approach. The presence of quantum entanglement in the initial state identifies a quantity equilibrium for every location pair choice with any transport cost. Also higher profit is obtained by the firms at Nash equilibrium. Adoption of quantum strategies rewards us by the existence of a larger quantum strategic space at equilibrium.Comment: 13 pages, 6 tables, 8 figure

The challenge of complexity for cognitive systems

Complex cognition addresses research on (a) high-level cognitive processes – mainly problem solving, reasoning, and decision making – and their interaction with more basic processes such as perception, learning, motivation and emotion and (b) cognitive processes which take place in a complex, typically dynamic, environment. Our focus is on AI systems and cognitive models dealing with complexity and on psychological findings which can inspire or challenge cognitive systems research. In this overview we first motivate why we have to go beyond models for rather simple cognitive processes and reductionist experiments. Afterwards, we give a characterization of complexity from our perspective. We introduce the triad of cognitive science methods – analytical, empirical, and engineering methods – which in our opinion have all to be utilized to tackle complex cognition. Afterwards we highlight three aspects of complex cognition – complex problem solving, dynamic decision making, and learning of concepts, skills and strategies. We conclude with some reflections about and challenges for future research

Clinical similarities and differences of patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 (XLP-1/SAP deficiency) versus type 2 (XLP-2/XIAP deficiency)

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndromes (XLP) are primary immunodeficiencies characterized by a particular vulnerability toward Epstein-Barr virus infection, frequently resulting in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). XLP type 1 (XLP-1) is caused by mutations in the gene SH2D1A (also named SAP), whereas mutations in the gene XIAP underlie XLP type 2 (XLP-2). Here, a comparison of the clinical phenotypes associated with XLP-1 and XLP-2 was performed in cohorts of 33 and 30 patients, respectively. HLH (XLP-1, 55%; XLP-2, 76%) and hypogammaglobulinemia (XLP-1, 67%; XLP-2, 33%) occurred in both groups. Epstein-Barr virus infection in XLP-1 and XLP-2 was the common trigger of HLH (XLP-1, 92%; XLP-2, 83%). Survival rates and mean ages at the first HLH episode did not differ for both groups, but HLH was more severe with lethal outcome in XLP-1 (XLP-1, 61%; XLP-2, 23%). Although only XLP-1 patients developed lymphomas (30%), XLP-2 patients (17%) had chronic hemorrhagic colitis as documented by histopathology. Recurrent splenomegaly often associated with cytopenia and fever was preferentially observed in XLP-2 (XLP-1, 7%; XLP-2, 87%) and probably represents minimal forms of HLH as documented by histopathology. This first phenotypic comparison of XLP subtypes should help to improve the diagnosis and the care of patients with XLP conditions

Two-component Bose gas in an optical lattice at single-particle filling

The Bose-Hubbard model of a two-fold degenerate Bose gas is studied in an optical lattice with one particle per site and virtual tunneling to empty and doubly-occupied sites. An effective Hamiltonian for this system is derived within a continued-fraction approach. The ground state of the effective model is studied in mean-field approximation for a modulated optical lattice. A dimerized mean-field state gives a Mott insulator whereas the lattice without modulations develops long-range correlated phase fluctuations due to a Goldstone mode. This result is discussed in comparison with the superfluid and the Mott-insulating state of a single-component hard-core Bose.Comment: 11 page

Thermodynamic approach on the condensation risk in built environment

Paper presented to the 10th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Florida, 14-16 July 2014.Worldwide energy consumption in residential and public buildings represents almost one third of primary energy. It is one of the larger contributors to fossil fuel use and the carbon dioxide production. Therefore, many countries are currently developing projects for the implementation of measures aimed at energy efficiency for built environment aiming targets of consumption reduction of 15% to 30%. However, less careful implementation of some measures for energy conservation is creating problems of water condensation in both, the newly constructed and the old buildings. Those are problems that created a bad perception regarding energy conservation measures, and also resulted in serious quality problems in built ambient. The main goal of this work is to evaluate the condensation risk in built environment and the influence on the energy consumption of the “inside” thermal insulation placement. A single-zone time-dependent mathematical model is developed based on specific parameters characterizing buildings´ use for commercial purposes. Numerical solutions are determined for commercial buildings over the course of a year. Suitable low cost strategies for energy conservation are developed to avoid condensation and mould growth for a typical classroom at the Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, and to prevent further degradation in problem buildings.dc201

How applicable are attribute-based approaches for human-centered ranking creation?

Item rankings are useful when a decision needs to be made, especially if there are multiple attributes to be considered. However, existing tools do not support both categorical and numerical attributes, require programming expertise for expressing preferences on attributes, do not offer instant feedback, lack flexibility in expressing various types of user preferences, or do not support all mandatory steps in the ranking-creation workflow. In this work, we present RankASco: a human-centered visual analytics approach that supports the interactive and visual creation of rankings. The iterative design process resulted in different visual interfaces that enable users to formalize their preferences based on a taxonomy of attribute scoring functions. RankASco enables broad user groups to (a) select attributes of interest, (b) express preferences on attributes through interactively tailored scoring functions, and (c) analyze and refine item ranking results. We validate RankASco in a user study with 24 participants in comparison to a general purpose tool. We report on commonalities and differences with respect to usefulness and usability and ultimately present three personas that characterize common user behavior in ranking-creation. On the human factors side, we have also identified a series of interesting behavioral variables that have an influence on the task performance and may shape the design of human-centered ranking solutions in the future

Corneal Perforation with Preseptal Cellulitis in a Patient with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

We report a case of corneal perforation with preseptal cellulitis in a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). A 17-yr-old female patient who was undergoing combination chemotherapy for ALL was referred due to upper lid swelling and pain in the right eye for 2 days. Visual acuity in the right eye was 20/20. Initial examination showed no abnormal findings, other than swelling of the right upper eyelid. Computed tomography showed a finding of preseptal cellulitis. Microbiologic study of bloody and purulent discharge revealed Serratia marcescens. Corneal melting and perforation with iris prolapse were detected in the right eye on the 16th day. Emergent tectonic keratoplasty was performed. Seven months after surgery, visual acuity in the right eye was 20/300, and the corneal graft was stable

pN1 but not pN0/N2 predicts survival benefits of prophylactic cranial irradiation in small-cell lung cancer patients after surgery.

Background Prophylactic cranial irradiation has been shown to reduce brain metastases and provide survival benefits in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, its role in limited-stage SCLC patients after surgery remains unclear. Further, it is unknown whether the effect of prophylactic cranial irradiation is generalizable in these patients with different pathological nodal (N0-N2) stages, a state indicating the presence of tumor metastases. Methods We combined data from a single medical center and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Propensity score matching analyses were performed (1:2) to evaluate the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation in SCLC patients after surgery. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify predictors of survival. Results 124 (18.7%) out of 664 surgically-treated SCLC patients received prophylactic cranial irradiation treatment. Within the entire cohort, multivariate Cox regression analysis identified dataset source, age, pathological T and N stages, adjuvant chemotherapy, resection type, and histology as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Prophylactic cranial irradiation appeared to be associated with a better overall survival, but the difference is marginally significant (P=0.063). Further, we stratified patients based on the pathological N0-N2 stages using propensity score matching analyses, which showed that prophylactic cranial irradiation treatment was superior to non-prophylactic cranial irradiation treatment for surgically-treated SCLC patients with N1 stage only (univariate analysis: P=0.026; multivariate Cox: P=0.004), but not N0/N2 stage (univariate analysis: P=0.65 and P=0.28, respectively; multivariate Cox: P=0.99 and P=0.35, respectively). Conclusions Prophylactic cranial irradiation provides survival benefits for SCLC patients with pN1 after surgery but not with pathological N0/N2 stage. Our findings may provide helpful stratifications for clinical decision-making of prophylactic cranial irradiation intervention in SCLC patients

Photografted methacrylate-based monolithic columns coated with cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) for chiral separation in CEC

A chiral capillary monolithic column for enantiomer separation in capillary electrochromatography was prepared by coating cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) on porous glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate monolith in capillary format grafted with chains of [2(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride. The surface modification of the monolith by the photografting of [2(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride monomer as well as the coating conditions of cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) onto the grafted monolithic scaffold were optimized to obtain a stable and reproducible chiral stationary phase for capillary electrochromatography. The effect of organic modifier (acetonitrile) in aqueous mobile phase for the enantiomer separation by capillary electrochromatography was also investigated. Several pairs of enantiomers including acidic, neutral, and basic analytes were tested and most of them were partially or completely resolved under aqueous mobile phases. The prepared monolithic chiral stationary phases exhibited a good stability, repeatability, and column-to-column reproducibility, with relative standard deviations below 11% in the studied electrochromatographic parameters.Fil: Echevarria, Romina Noel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Carrasco Correa, Enrique Javier. Universidad de Valencia; EspañaFil: Keunchkarian, Sonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Reta, Mario Roberto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Herrero Martinez, José Manuel. Universidad de Valencia; Españ