A Panel Data Toolbox for MATLAB

Panel Data Toolbox is a new package for MATLAB that includes functions to estimate the main econometric methods of balanced and unbalanced panel data analysis. The package includes code for the standard fixed, between and random effects estimation methods, as well as for the existing instrumental panels and a wide array of spatial panels. A full set of relevant tests is also included. This paper describes the methodology and implementation of the functions and illustrates their use with well-known examples. We perform numerical checks against other popular commercial and free software to show the validity of the results

A Data Envelopment Analysis Toolbox for MATLAB

The Data Envelopment Analysis Toolbox is a new package for MATLAB that includes functions to calculate the main data envelopment analysis models. The package includes code for the standard radial input, output and additive measures, allowing for constant and variable returns to scale, as well as recent developments related to the directional distance function, and including both desirable and undesirable outputs when measuring efficiency and productivity; i.e., Malmquist and Malmquist-Luenberger indices. Bootstrapping to perform statistical analysis is also included. This paper describes the methodology and implementation of the functions, and reports numerical results using a reliable productivity database on US agriculture to illustrate their use

On improving FOIL Algorithm

FOIL is an Inductive Logic Programming Algorithm to discover first order rules to explain the patterns involved in a domain of knowledge. Domains as Information Retrieval or Information Extraction are handicaps for FOIL due to the huge amount of information it needs manage to devise the rules. Current solutions to problems in these domains are restricted to devising ad hoc domain dependent inductive algorithms that use a less-expressive formalism to code rules. We work on optimising FOIL learning process to deal with such complex domain problems while retaining expressiveness. Our hypothesis is that changing the information gain scoring function, used by FOIL to decide how rules are learnt, can reduce the number of steps the algorithm performs. We have analysed 15 scoring functions, normalised them into a common notation and checked a test in which they are computed. The learning process will be evaluated according to its efficiency, and the quality of the rules according to their precision, recall, complexity and specificity. The results reinforce our hypothesis, demonstrating that replacing the information gain can optimise both the FOIL algorithm execution and the learnt rules.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TIN2007-64119Junta de Andalucía P07-TIC-2602Junta de Andalucía P08-TIC-4100Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TIN2008-04718-

Optimising FOIL by new scoring functions

FOIL is an Inductive Logic Programming Algorithm to dis cover first order rules to explain the patterns involved in a domain of knowledge. Domains with a huge amount of information are handicaps for FOIL due to the explosion of the search of space to devise the rules. Current solutions to problems in these domains are restricted to devising ad hoc domain dependent inductive algorithms that use a less-expressive formalism to code rules. We work on optimising FOIL learning process to deal with such complex domain problems while retaining expressiveness. Our hypothesis is that changing the Information Gain scoring function, used by FOIL to de cide how rules are learnt, can reduce the number of steps the algorithm performs. We have analysed 15 scoring functions, normalised them into a common notation and checked a test in which they are computed. The learning process will be evaluated according to its efficiency, and the quality of the rules according to their precision, recall, complexity and specificity. The results reinforce our hypothesis, demonstrating that replacing the Information Gain can optimise both the FOIL algorithm execution and the learnt rules

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA, or Morquio syndrome type A) is an inherited metabolic lysosomal disease caused by the deficiency of the N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase enzyme. The deficiency of this enzyme accumulates the specific glycosaminoglycans (GAG), keratan sulfate, and chondroitin-6-sulfate mainly in bone, cartilage, and its extracellular matrix. GAG accumulation in these lesions leads to unique skeletal dysplasia in MPS IVA patients. Clinical, radiographic, and biochemical tests are needed to complete the diagnosis of MPS IVA since some clinical characteristics in MPS IVA are overlapped with other disorders. Early and accurate diagnosis is vital to optimizing patient management, which provides a better quality of life and prolonged life-time in MPS IVA patients. Currently, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are available for patients with MPS IVA. However, ERT and HSCT do not have enough impact on bone and cartilage lesions in patients with MPS IVA. Penetrating the deficient enzyme into an avascular lesion remains an unmet challenge, and several innovative therapies are under development in a preclinical study. In this review article, we comprehensively describe the current diagnosis, treatment, and management for MPS IVA. We also illustrate developing future therapies focused on the improvement of skeletal dysplasia in MPS IVA

Fotogrametría digital y lidar como fuentes de información en geomorfología litoral (marismas mareales y sistemas dunares): el potencial de su análisis espacial a través de SIG

En este artículo se presentan diferentes resultados procedentes de la caracterización morfométrica tridimensional y el análisis de la dinámica sedimentaria volumétrica en sistemas dunares y marismas mareales. Para el levantamiento de la información topográfica (x,y,z) se hace uso de la restitución fotogramétrica digital y de sensores lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) y para su análisis e interpretación se utilizan las funcionalidades de análisis espacial de los SIG. Los resultados revelan el enorme potencial en geomorfología litoral de ambas fuentes de información debido a su carácter continuo espacialmente y cuasi-sincró- nico desde la perspectiva temporal. Dada la variabilidad espacial y temporal a escala de detalle de los sistemas litorales estudiados, estas fuentes de información se consideran esenciales y de gran proyección futura en estudios de estas características. Las funciones de análisis espacial en un entorno SIG, aplicadas a estos datos, abren igualmente nuevas expectativas y enfoques metodológicos en geomorfología litoral (evaluación de riesgos, modelización temporal, balances sedimentarios,…).This paper shows some results focused on topographic 3D surveys and volumetric temporal changes analysis on tidal marshes and coastal dunes systems. The topographic data (x,y,z) were colected by softcopy photogrammetry and airbone lidar sensors and were analysed and integrated using the GIS capabilities for spatial analysis. The results show the advantages of these near-synoptic sources of data (with high spatial and temporal resolution) when applying to fast evolving coastal features (beaches, dunes….). The spatial and temporal topographic internal variability of these coastal systems at detailed scale, on the other hand, give to these technologies an important role within the context of future coastal geomorphology research. The spatial capabilities provided by GIS (natural risk assessment, DEM, modelling, sedimentary butgets,…) appears as the natural context for integration, analysis, visualization and modelling of these georeferenced data

Evolution and study of a copycat effect in intimate partner homicides: A lesson from Spanish femicides

Objectives This paper focuses on the issue of intimate partner violence and, specifically, on the distribution of femicides over time and the existence of copycat effects. This is the subject of an ongoing debate often triggered by the social alarm following multiple intimate partner homicides (IPHs) occurring in a short span of time. The aim of this research is to study the evolution of IPHs and provide a far-reaching answer by rigorously analyzing and searching for patterns in data on femicides. Methods The study analyzes an official dataset, provided by the system VioGén of the Secretaría de Estado de Seguridad (Spanish State Secretariat for Security), including all the femicides occurred in Spain in 2007-2017. A statistical methodology to identify temporal interdepen-dencies in count time series is proposed and applied to the dataset. The same methodology can be applied to other contexts. Results There has been a decreasing trend in the number of femicides per year. No interdependen-cies among the temporal distribution of femicides are observed. Therefore, according to data, the existence of copycat effect in femicides cannot be claimed. Conclusions Around 2011 there was a clear change in the average number of femicides which has not picked up. Results allow for an informed answer to the debate on copycat effect in Spanish femicides. The planning of femicides prevention activities should not be a reaction to a perceived increase in their occurrence. As a copycat effect is not detected in the studied time period, there is no evidence supporting the need to censor media reports on femicides.The work by Torrecilla has been partially supported by Spanish Grant MTM2016-78751-P. The research of Liberatore has been supported by the Government of Spain, grant MTM2015-65803-R, and by the Government of Madrid, grant S2013/ICE-284

Spanish shrimp (Pandalus borealis) fishery in Flemish cap in 1997

4 páginas, 4 tablas.-- Scientific Council MeetingIn 1997 one Spanish trawler have been involved in the shrimp fishery in Flemish Cap (NAFO Div. 3M) from March to May. A scientific observer remained on board this trawler during all the fishing period, providing information on the fishing activity and carrying out biological sampling. The gear used was a twin trawl, with a 19 mm bar spacing sorting grate. In this paper, the main results of this fishery are presented.Peer reviewe