Stochastic optimization on continuous domains with finite-time guarantees by Markov chain Monte Carlo methods

We introduce bounds on the finite-time performance of Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms in approaching the global solution of stochastic optimization problems over continuous domains. A comparison with other state-of-the-art methods having finite-time guarantees for solving stochastic programming problems is included.Comment: 29 pages, 6 figures. Revised version based on referees repor

Goats : rising systems and trading alternatives

Este trabajo propone caracterizar la producción caprina del norte y oeste de Córdoba (Argentina). Para ello analiza diacrónica y sincrónicamente los datos censales a nivel provincial y focaliza el relevamiento de datos productivos en la región NO de la provincia. Luego establece las distintas estrategias de comercialización del producto principal, el cabrito: • venta directa 48 % • venta a intermediario 28 % • reposición 14 % • consumo 10 %This paper aims to characterise goat production in the North and West of Córdoba (Argentina). It analises the literature at the provincial level both diachronicaly and sinchronicaly, focusing the data survey on the NW area. The paper concludes that there are different channels for trading goat-kids (the main product sent by peasants to the market): • direct sales to final consumers 48 % • to middlemen 28 % • female kids to replace old goats 14 % • and meat for peasant households 10 %Fil: Ferrer, G.. Universidad Nacional de CórdobaFil: Barrientos, M.. Universidad Nacional de CórdobaFil: Saal, G.. Universidad Nacional de CórdobaFil: Visintini, A.. Universidad Nacional de Córdob

Performance Investigation and Repeatability Assessment of a Mobile Robotic System for 3D Mapping

In this paper, we present a quantitative performance investigation and repeatability assessment of a mobile robotic system for 3D mapping. With the aim of a more efficient and automatic data acquisition process with respect to well-established manual topographic operations, a 3D laser scanner coupled with an inertial measurement unit is installed on a mobile platform and used to perform a high-resolution mapping of the surrounding environment. Point clouds obtained with the use of a mobile robot are compared with those acquired with the device carried manually as well as with a terrestrial laser scanner survey that serves as a ground truth. Experimental results show that both mapping modes provide similar accuracy and repeatability, whereas the robotic system compares favorably with respect to the handheld modality in terms of noise level and point distribution. The outcomes demonstrate the feasibility of the mobile robotic platform as a promising technology for automatic and accurate 3D mapping

The experience of individuals placed in quarantine: A systematic review, meta-summary, and meta-synthesis

Objective: To summarize the experience of individuals placed in quarantine during an outbreak. Design: A meta-summary and a meta-synthesis based upon a systematic review of qualitative studies. Sample: The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases were all searched up to April 2020. Measurements: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed; then, the methodological quality of the studies included was assessed with the Critical Appraisal Screening Programme tool for qualitative studies. Results: Five studies have been included documenting the experience of 125 adult individuals. A total of 16 codes emerged: in the meta-summary, the most and least frequent codes were \u201cThinking about quarantine\u201d (80%) and \u201cEmotional roller coaster,\u201d \u201cBeing alert for any symptom,\u201d \u201cTrusting or not?,\u201d \u201cKnowing who brought the infection,\u201d and \u201cLiving in a surreal world\u201d (20%). The codes which emerged were categorized into three main themes which summarized the whole experience of being placed in quarantine: (a) \u201cBeing swamped with a thousand emotions\u201d; (b) \u201cBeing restrained\u201d; and (c) \u201cNeeding to be considered.\u201d. Conclusions: The experience of quarantine for people is a long journey which can feel chaotic due to uncertainty about the consequences on health, work, and the future. The findings of this study can help nurses in caring for quarantined individuals by enabling them to understand people's need for educational and emotional support. Ensuring the supply of consistent information is also important to increase people's compliance

El modelo de expectativas adaptativas como mejor método para estimar la variable precio del grano en el modelo de equilibrio parcial para girasol

El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar el indicador apropiado para la variable precio del grano de girasol, ecuación que es parte del modelo de equilibrio parcial para girasol. Para elegir la variable proxy se estimaron dos modelos: el de expectativas adaptativas de Koyck y el de ajuste parcial o de ajuste de existencias y se calculó el precio promedio del grano considerando los mercados de Buenos Aires, Rosario y Bahía Blanca. Luego de aplicar los diferentes modelos para los precios "esperados" se estimó el modelo de equilibrio parcial a partir de "mínimos cuadrados en dos (MC2E) y en tres etapas (MC3E)". Mediante el test de Hausman (Judge et al, 1988) se estableció el método de estimación apropiado. Entre los resultados se destaca que los mejores indicadores fueron el "precio promedio" y el "precio esperado" calculado por el método de expectativas adaptativas. Así, se deduce que el precio que el productor "espera" es una ponderación de lo ocurrido en los últimos ocho meses (precio en el momento de la siembra y el que recibió en la cosecha anterior). Contrariamente, no se encontró en el método de "ajuste parcial" un buen estimador de precio.

Extreme Energy Cosmic Rays (EECR) Observation Capabilities of an "Airwatch from Space'' Mission

The longitudinal development and other characteristics of the EECR induced atmospheric showers can be studied from space by detecting the fluorescence light induced in the atmospheric nitrogen. According to the Airwatch concept a single fast detector can be used for measuring both intensity and time development of the streak of fluorescence light produced by the atmospheric shower induced by an EECR. In the present communication the detection capabilities for the EECR observation from space are discussed.Comment: 3 pages (LaTeX). To appear in the Proceedings of TAUP'9

Determination of parameters for the evaluation of Phosphorus/Calcium metabolism in adult normal dogs

Diseases that facilitate alterations in the metabolism of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (Pi) are\ndiverse. Knowing and interpreting normal parameters is fundamental to making a diagnosis.\nIn this study both minerals were evaluated in the blood and urine of 52 healthy adult dogs in\nthree age ranges in years old (group A: from 1 to 5, group B: from 6 to 10, and group C: older\nthan 10).\nCalcium levels exhibited no significant difference across age groups. A significant increase (p = 0.03)\nin phosphorus was found in group C in relation to the other two groups.\nBased on the elimination of both minerals through the urine, evaluated from the fractional\nexcretion (DIP and DICa) and the relation Ca or Pi / Creatinine, a non-significant tendency\nof a lower elimination of Pi through urine was observed, according to DIP values of group C\n(p = 0.055).\nThe values of DIP and DICa were correlated with the ones in Pi or Ca/Cr in urine (r = 0.9, p < 0.0001).\nThese results allow us to infer that the mineral/Cr relation can be used when evaluating\nelimination by urine. The age range must be taken into account when interpreting results of\nphosphorus in blood and urine, since groups older than 10 years old have higher minimum\nand maximum threshold levels than the other two groups.Fil: Martiarena, B. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Clínica Médica de Pequeños Animales; ArgentinaFil: Castillo, V. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Hospital Escuela de Pequeños Animales. Unidad de Endocrinología; ArgentinaFil: Regonat, M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Regonat, M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Hospital Escuela de Pequeños Animales. Unidad de Laboratorio; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, H. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, H. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Hospital Escuela de Pequeños Animales. Unidad de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Brandi, G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Brandi, G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Hospital Escuela de Pequeños Animales. Unidad de Laboratorio; ArgentinaFil: Lamarca, G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Clínica Médica de Pequeños Animales; ArgentinaFil: Molina, E. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Hospital Escuela de Pequeños Animlaes. Unidad de Nefrología y Urología; ArgentinaFil: Ruidiaz, V. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Clínica Médica de Pequeños Animales; ArgentinaFil: Visintini, A. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Clínica Médica de Pequeños Animales; ArgentinaLas enfermedades que alteran el metabolismo fósforo (Pi)/calcio (Ca) son variadas. Para\ndiagnosticarlas es necesario conocer e interpretar parámetros normales. Se estudiaron ambos\nminerales, en sangre y orina, en 52 perros adultos sanos, agrupados según rango etario en años:\nGA de 1 a 5; GB de 6 a 10 y GC ? de 10.\nNo se encontraron diferencias significativas para la calcemia entre los grupos. Hubo un\nincremento significativo para la fosfatemia (p 0.03) y el producto Ca x Pi (p 0.02) en el GC\nrespecto al resto.\nDe la eliminación de ambos minerales en orina, evaluada mediante la excreción fraccional (DIP\ny DICa) y por la relación Calcio o fósforo/creatinina, se observó una tendencia, no significativa,\na una menor eliminación de fósforo, según los valores de DIP en el grupo C (p 0.055). Los\nvalores de DIP y DICa se correlacionaron con los de Fósforo o Calcio/Creatinina (r 0.9, p < 0.0001),\nhaciendo que dichas relaciones pueden ser utilizadas para evaluar la excreción urinaria.\nEl rango etario debe tenerse en cuenta para interpretar resultados del fósforo en sangre y orina,\ndado que los valores de cortes mínimos y máximos son más elevados en los mayores de 10 años