Advertising and production of a seasonal good for a heterogeneous market: from total segment separability to real media

Market segmentation is a fundamental topic of marketing theory and practice. We bring some market segmentation concepts into the statement of an advertising and production problem for a seasonal product with Nerlove-Arrow's linear goodwill dynamics, along the lines of some analyses concerning the introduction of a new product. We consider two kinds of situations. In the first one, we assume that the advertising process can reach selectively each segment. In the second one, we assume that one advertising medium is available and that it has a known effectiveness segment-spectrum for a non-trivial set of segments. In both cases we study the optimal control problems in which goodwill productivity of advertising is either linear or concave, and good production costs are (convex and) quadratic. We obtain the explicit optimal solutions using the Pontryagin's Maximum Principle conditions.

Finite population properties of predictors based on spatial patterns

When statistical inference is used for spatial prediction, the model-based framework known as kriging is commonly used. The predictor for an unsampled element of a population is a weighted combination of sampled values, in which weights are obtained by estimating the spatial covariance function. This solution can be affected by model misspecification and can be influenced by sampling design properties. In classical design-based finite population inference, these problems can be overcome; nevertheless, spatial solutions are still seldom used for this purpose. Through the efficient use of spatial information, a conceptual framework for design-based estimation has been developed in this study. We propose a standardized weighted predictor for unsampled spatial data, using the population information regarding spatial locations directly in the weighting system. Our procedure does not require model estimation of the spatial pattern because the spatial relationship is captured exclusively based on the Euclidean distances between locations (which are fixed and do not require assessment after sample selection). The individual predictor is a design-based ratio estimator, and we illustrate its properties for simple random sampling.spatial sampling; ratio estimator; design-based inference; model-based inference; spatial information in finite population inference campionamento spaziale, stimatore del rapporto, inferenza da disegno, inferenza da modello; informazione spaziale nell’inferenza da popolazioni finite

Arte popular, memoria y bicentenario de Chile: Descuidos e impertinencias - entrevista a Nury González

En esta entrevista Nury González (Directora del Museo de Arte Popular Americano Tomás Lago, de la Facultad de Artes de la Universidad de Chile) reflexiona sobre las deudas y compromisos que hoy mantenemos con algunas nociones que luego de 200 años no hemos pensado todavía, como el arte popular y el Bicentenario de nuestro país. A partir de algunas ‘curiosas coincidencias' González devela la importancia de enmendar este tipo de descuidos y explica el modo en que el arte ayuda a resolver estos problemas, aunque sea desde la impertinencia

General-relativistic resistive magnetohydrodynamics in three dimensions: Formulation and tests

We present a new numerical implementation of the general-relativistic resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations within the Whisky code. The numerical method adopted exploits the properties of implicit-explicit Runge-Kutta numerical schemes to treat the stiff terms that appear in the equations for large electrical conductivities. Using tests in one, two, and three dimensions, we show that our implementation is robust and recovers the ideal-MHD limit in regimes of very high conductivity. Moreover, the results illustrate that the code is capable of describing scenarios in a very wide range of conductivities. In addition to tests in flat spacetime, we report simulations of magnetized nonrotating relativistic stars, both in the Cowling approximation and in dynamical spacetimes. Finally, because of its astrophysical relevance and because it provides a severe testbed for general-relativistic codes with dynamical electromagnetic fields, we study the collapse of a nonrotating star to a black hole. We show that also in this case our results on the quasinormal mode frequencies of the excited electromagnetic fields in the Schwarzschild background agree with the perturbative studies within 0.7% and 5.6% for the real and the imaginary part of the l=1 mode eigenfrequency, respectively. Finally we provide an estimate of the electromagnetic efficiency of this process.Comment: 22 pages, 19 figure

Nonlocal Schrödinger equations in metric measure spaces

In this note we consider the pointwise convergence to the initial data for the solutions of some nonlocal dyadic Schrödinger equations on spaces of homogeneous type. We prove the a.e. convergence when the initial data belongs to a dyadic version of an L2 based Besov space.Fil: Actis, Marcelo Jesús. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Aimar, Hugo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Bongioanni, Bruno. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Ivana Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; Argentin

Nitric Oxide Regulates Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus following Seizures

Hippocampal neurogenesis is changed by brain injury. When neuroinflammation accompanies injury, activation of resident microglial cells promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species like nitric oxide (NO). In these conditions, NO promotes proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC) in the hippocampus. However, little is known about the role of NO in the survival and differentiation of newborn cells in the injured dentate gyrus. Here we investigated the role of NO following seizures in the regulation of proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival of NSC in the hippocampus using the kainic acid (KA) induced seizuremouse model. We show that NO increased the proliferation of NSC and the number of neuroblasts following seizures but was detrimental to the survival of newborn neurons. NO was also required for the maintenance of long-term neuroinflammation. Taken together, our data show that NO positively contributes to the initial stages of neurogenesis following seizures but compromises survival of newborn neurons.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal); COMPETE; FEDER [PTDC/SAU-NEU/102612/2008, PTDC/NEU-OSD/0473/2012, PEst-C/SAU/LA0001/2013-2014, PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013-2014]; FCT, Portugal [SFRH/BPD/78901/2011, SFRH/BD/77903/2011

Finite population properties of predictors based on spatial patterns

When statistical inference is used for spatial prediction, the model-based framework known as kriging is commonly used. The predictor for an unsampled element of a population is a weighted combination of sampled values, in which weights are obtained by estimating the spatial covariance function. This solution can be affected by model misspecification and can be influenced by sampling design properties. In classical design-based finite population inference, these problems can be overcome; nevertheless, spatial solutions are still seldom used for this purpose. Through the efficient use of spatial information, a conceptual framework for design-based estimation has been developed in this study. We propose a standardized weighted predictor for unsampled spatial data, using the population information regarding spatial locations directly in the weighting system. Our procedure does not require model estimation of the spatial pattern because the spatial relationship is captured exclusively based on the Euclidean distances between locations (which are fixed and do not require assessment after sample selection). The individual predictor is a design-based ratio estimator, and we illustrate its properties for simple random sampling

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of synthetic coccidiostats in eggs

Coccidiostats are synthetic drugs administered to animals, especially to poultry, to cure coccidiosis. In this paper, we present a selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to analyze residues of five synthetic coccidiostats in eggs: clazuril, diclazuril, robenidine, nicarbazin, toltrazuril and its two metabolites. The extraction efficiency was evaluated by testing several solvents, pH, different volumes and time of extraction. The clean-up procedures were optimized using different solid phase extraction cartridges and different eluants. The chromatographic separation was achieved in reversed phase using a gradient of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile, whereas the MS detection was performed in negative electrospray ionization (ESI) for all the analytes, except for the robenidine. The developed method has been validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/CE. The validation parameters, as linearity, precision, recovery, specificity, decision limit (CC alpha), detection capability (CC beta), and robustness have been determined. The proposed method resulted simple, fast, and suitable for screening and confirmation purposes

Tras la huella de Francisco: política y religión en el discurso de la Confederación de Trabajadores de la Economía Popular (CTEP)

En este trabajo nos proponemos dar cuenta del vínculo entre dos de las organizaciones con mayor peso dentro de la Confederación de Trabajadores de la Economía Popular (CTEP) - el Movimiento Evita y el Movimiento de Trabajadores Excluidos - y la organización Misioneros de Francisco, la que inspirada en el mensaje del primer papa latinoamericano se ha propuesto promover la religiosidad popular católica en las barriadas populares de la Argentina, retomando los ejes de la teología de la cultura. Asimismo nos interesa reconocer las huellas del discurso religioso en el discurso institucional y de la formación política de la Confederación de Trabajadores de la Economía Popular y problematizar las tensiones que estas “huellas” generan hacia el interior de la CTEP con otras organizaciones como el Movimiento Popular la Dignidad, que se reconocen como clasistas, laicas y feministas.Facultad de Periodismo y Comunicación Socia

Time Preferences and Fertility: Evidence from Italy

none3noBackground: Fertility decisions, as all life actions, imply a balancing of anticipated costs and benefits whose expectations are formed under uncertainty. Fertility research has addressed the backward reasonings (e.g., socioeconomic, psychological, biological factors) influencing fertility decisions. Yet, the role of forward factors, such as the preference for immediate but lower benefits versus future but higher benefits, in influencing fertility decisions has been overlooked. Objective: Time preferences, also referred to as impatience, is a personal characteristic that has been found to influence different types of decisions, from financial investments to schooling decisions. The present study is the first that empirically explores whether this trait represents a determinant of human reproductive behaviors. Methods: Data are from the Survey on Household Income and Wealth carried out by the Bank of Italy every two years on a sample of about 8,000 households. In particular, we make use of a question included in the 2004, 2008, 2010, and 2012 waves to examine whether, controlling for backward factors, impatience affects parity progressions. Results: Results from logistic regression models indicate an inverse U-shaped association between impatience and the transition to the first and second child during the observation period, meaning that for very impatient and very patient individuals the probability of having a first and second child is lower than for individuals within intermediate levels of impatience. Conclusions: The empirical finding points to the importance of considering time discounting preferences (as well as other forward-looking factors) in fertility research to gain a more complete understanding of fertility behaviours. Contribution: The orientation toward the future plays an important role in predicting fertility behavior. TDP as a a basis for inter-temporal decision making represent a key factor to better understanding contemporary fertility decision-making processes.noneBellani, Daniela; Arpino, Bruno; Vignoli, DanieleBellani, Daniela; Arpino, Bruno; Vignoli, Daniel