Satellite based productivity models across the Kuroshio extension

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 445

A Retrospective Claims Analysis of Medication Adherence and Persistence Among Patients Taking Antidepressants for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2015

O impacto do excesso de gordura corporal sobre a remodelação óssea de adolescentes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estandarización de la captura por unidad de esfuerzo (CPUE) de la flota industrial de cerco del stock norte-centro de la anchoveta peruana (Engraulis ringens Jenyns)

Se trabajó utilizando una metodología basada en Modelos Lineales Generalizados (MLG). La CPUE fue expresada en toneladas por duración de viaje. Las variables explicativas utilizadas fueron el año, mes, capacidad de bodega, latitud, inercia espacial y distancia a la costa. El modelo tuvo un coeficiente de determinación de 0,485, explicando casi la mitad de la variabilidad de la CPUE observada. La variable con mayor influencia en el modelo fue la capacidad de bodega (49% de la varianza explicada), debido posiblemente a que la flota anchovetera posee una capacidad elevada de captura y que los recursos pelágicos tienden a hiper-agregarse, incluso cuando están siendo fuertemente explotados. La correlación entre la CPUE estandarizada y biomasa estimada por un modelo de captura a la edad (r=0,74) indica que el método basado en MLG es recomendable para la estandarización de la CPUE. Se propone a esta CPUE como una alternativa para monitorear la biomasa de la anchoveta.

A systematic review of the surgical treatment of large incisional hernia.

PURPOSE: Incisional hernia (IH) is one of the most frequent postoperative complications. Of all patients undergoing IH repair, a vast amount have a hernia which can be defined as a large incisional hernia (LIH). The aim of this study is to identify the preferred technique for LIH repair. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed and studies describing patients with IH with a diameter of 10 cm or a surface of 100 cm2 or more were included. Recurrence hazards per year were calculated for all techniques using a generalized linear model. RESULTS: Fifty-five articles were included, containing 3,945 LIH repairs. Mesh reinforced techniques displayed better recurrence rates and hazards than techniques without mesh reinforcement. Of all the mesh techniques, sublay repair, sandwich technique with sublay mesh and aponeuroplasty with intraperitoneal mesh displayed the best results (recurrence rates of <3.6%, recurrence hazard <0.5% per year). Wound complications were frequent and most often seen after complex LIH repair. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mesh during LIH repair displayed the best recurrence rates and hazards. If possible mesh in sublay position should be used in cases of LIH repair.

Problème centre-foyer et application

Dans ce mémoire, nous étudions le problème centre-foyer sur un système polynomial. Nous développons ainsi deux mécanismes permettant de conclure qu’un point singulier monodromique dans ce système non-linéaire polynomial est un centre. Le premier mécanisme est la méthode de Darboux. Cette méthode utilise des courbes algébriques invariantes dans la construction d’une intégrale première. La deuxième méthode analyse la réversibilité algébrique ou analytique du système. Un système possédant une singularité monodromique et étant algébriquement ou analytiquement réversible à ce point sera nécessairement un centre. Comme application, dans le dernier chapitre, nous considérons le modèle de Gauss généralisé avec récolte de proies.

Tests pour la dépendance entre les sections dans un modèle de Poisson

Les simulations et figures ont été réalisées avec le logiciel R.

Properties of Equilibrium Distributions of Order n

The present work is intended to discuss various properties and reliability aspects of higher order equilibrium distributions in continuous, discrete and multivariate cases, which contribute to the study on equilibrium distributions. At first, we have to study and consolidate the existing literature on equilibrium distributions. For this we need some basic concepts in reliability. These are being discussed in the 2nd chapter, In Chapter 3, some identities connecting the failure rate functions and moments of residual life of the univariate, non-negative continuous equilibrium distributions of higher order and that of the baseline distribution are derived. These identities are then used to characterize the generalized Pareto model, mixture of exponentials and gamma distribution. An approach using the characteristic functions is also discussed with illustrations. Moreover, characterizations of ageing classes using stochastic orders has been discussed. Part of the results of this chapter has been reported in Nair and Preeth (2009). Various properties of equilibrium distributions of non-negative discrete univariate random variables are discussed in Chapter 4. Then some characterizations of the geo- metric, Waring and negative hyper-geometric distributions are presented. Moreover, the ageing properties of the original distribution and nth order equilibrium distribu- tions are compared. Part of the results of this chapter have been reported in Nair, Sankaran and Preeth (2012). Chapter 5 is a continuation of Chapter 4. Here, several conditions, in terms of stochastic orders connecting the baseline and its equilibrium distributions are derived. These conditions can be used to rede_ne certain ageing notions. Then equilibrium distributions of two random variables are compared in terms of various stochastic orders that have implications in reliability applications. In Chapter 6, we make two approaches to de_ne multivariate equilibrium distribu- tions of order n. Then various properties including characterizations of higher order equilibrium distributions are presented. Part of the results of this chapter have been reported in Nair and Preeth (2008). The Thesis is concluded in Chapter 7. A discussion on further studies on equilib- rium distributions is also made in this chapter.

Diversity, local uses and availability of medicinal plants and wild yams in the Mahafaly region of south-western Madagascar

Short summary: This study was undertaken to assess the diversity of plant resources utilized by the local population in south-western Madagascar, the social, ecological and biophysical conditions that drive their uses and availability, and possible alternative strategies for their sustainable use in the region. The study region, ‘Mahafaly region’, located in south-western Madagascar, is one of the country’s most economically, educationally and climatically disadvantaged regions. With an arid steppe climate, the agricultural production is limited by low water availability and a low level of soil nutrients and soil organic carbon. The region comprises the recently extended Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, with numerous sacred and communities forests, which are threatened by slash and burn agriculture and overexploitation of forests resources. The present study analyzed the availability of wild yams and medicinal plants, and their importance for the livelihood of the local population in this region. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted recording the diversity, local knowledge and use of wild yams and medicinal plants utilized by the local communities in five villages in the Mahafaly region. 250 households were randomly selected followed by semi-structured interviews on the socio-economic characteristics of the households. Data allowed us to characterize sociocultural and socioeconomic factors that determine the local use of wild yams and medicinal plants, and to identify their role in the livelihoods of local people. Species-environment relationships and the current spatial distribution of the wild yams were investigated and predicted using ordination methods and a niche based habitat modelling approach. Species response curves along edaphic gradients allowed us to understand the species requirements on habitat conditions. We thus investigated various alternative methods to enhance the wild yam regeneration for their local conservation and their sustainable use in the Mahafaly region. Altogether, six species of wild yams and a total of 214 medicinal plants species from 68 families and 163 genera were identified in the study region. Results of the cluster and discriminant analysis indicated a clear pattern on resource, resulted in two groups of household and characterized by differences in livestock numbers, off-farm activities, agricultural land and harvests. A generalized linear model highlighted that economic factors significantly affect the collection intensity of wild yams, while the use of medicinal plants depends to a higher degree on socio-cultural factors. The gradient analysis on the distribution of the wild yam species revealed a clear pattern for species habitats. Species models based on NPMR (Nonparametric Multiplicative Regression analysis) indicated the importance of vegetation structure, human interventions, and soil characteristics to determine wild yam species distribution. The prediction of the current availability of wild yam resources showed that abundant wild yam resources are scarce and face high harvest intensity. Experiments on yams cultivation revealed that germination of seeds was enhanced by using pre-germination treatments before planting, vegetative regeneration performed better with the upper part of the tubers (corms) rather than the sets of tubers. In-situ regeneration was possible for the upper parts of the wild tubers but the success depended significantly on the type of soil. The use of manure (10-20 t ha¹) increased the yield of the D. alata and D. alatipes by 40%. We thus suggest the promotion of other cultivated varieties of D. alata found regions neighbouring as the Mahafaly Plateau.

Modelo de internacionalización del sector de reciclaje en Colombia

El presente documento se realiza un análisis de tres empresas del sector del reciclaje: Smurfit Kappa Cartón de Colombia S.A., Ecoeficiencia S.A.S y Fibras Nacionales S.A.S, para conocer la aplicación de las teorías de internacionalización y observar cómo se desarrollan en la realidad Colombiana. El sector de reciclaje actualmente es poco explorado y explotado en Colombia, principalmente por el bajo interés del sector público y privado en alcanzar las innumerables ventajas económicas y sociales que éste ofrece, toda vez que, es considerado un sector no formal dentro de la economía colombiana. Más adelante se describe la situación actual de las tres empresas basado en una revisión bibliográfica de las teorías de internacionalización y posteriormente se aplican los conceptos a cada una de las empresas. Finalmente, se propone la ruta de internacionalización del sector del reciclaje en Colombia y un modelo logístico general para que las empresas de este sector lo apliquen y así mejoren sus procesos. Se plantea como estrategia el desarrollo de un Cluster para lograr la efectividad de la ruta de internacionalización del sector del reciclaje. Es necesaria la conformación de una red de empresas, agentes e instituciones públicas y privadas dentro del entorno del reciclaje y el manejo de residuos, para la consolidación del sector. El objetivo es que este documento sirva como medio de consulta para empresarios y empresas interesadas en mejorar el nivel de vida de los recicladores, contribuir con el medio ambiente y mejorar la competitividad y productividad del reciclaje en Colombia, logrando convertirse en un sector de talla mundial. Es importante mencionar que en la medida es que el sector se formalice, los recicladores se verán beneficiados y harán parte importante de una cadena de valor que permitirá mejorar las condiciones actuales del sector y podrán participar activamente en la economía, generando un impacto positivo y global.

Distribución hiperbólica generalizada: una aplicación en la selección de portafolios y en la cuantificación de medidas de riesgo de mercado

En este trabajo se implementa una metodología para incluir momentos de orden superior en la selección de portafolios, haciendo uso de la Distribución Hiperbólica Generalizada, para posteriormente hacer un análisis comparativo frente al modelo de Markowitz.

Valor en riesgo del portafolio de TES de los bancos colombianos

En este trabajo se realiza la medición del riesgo de mercado para el portafolio de TES de un banco colombiano determinado, abordando el pronóstico de valor en riesgo (VaR) mediante diferentes modelos multivariados de volatilidad: EWMA, GARCH ortogonal, GARCH robusto, así como distintos modelos de VaR con distribución normal y distribución t-student, evaluando su eficiencia con las metodologías de backtesting propuestas por Candelon et al. (2011) con base en el método generalizado de momentos, junto con los test de independencia y de cobertura condicional planteados por Christoffersen y Pelletier (2004) y por Berkowitz, Christoffersen y Pelletier (2010). Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la mejor especificación del VaR para la medición del riesgo de mercado del portafolio de TES de los bancos colombianos, es el construido a partir de volatilidades EWMA y basado en la distribución normal, ya que satisface las hipótesis de cobertura no condicional, independencia y cobertura condicional, al igual que los requerimientos estipulados en Basilea II y en la normativa vigente en Colombia.

Curva de aprendizaje para ventana ecográfica de la vena cava inferior, en residentes de medicina de emergencias

INTRODUCCIÓN. El ultrasonido es fundamental en la medicina de emergencias, no se conoce cual debería ser la curva de aprendizaje para obtener las competencias técnicas y operativas; ACEP recomienda por cada ventana ecográfica realizar 25 repeticiones. No existe una curva de aprendizaje para ventana de VCI en la población de residentes colombianos. OBJETIVO: Determinar la curva de aprendizaje necesaria para obtener una proporción mayor al 80% de éxitos en la toma de la ventana ecográfica de la VCI, usando la escala de calificación para el aseguramiento de la calidad sugerida por ACEP, en residentes de I a III año de medicina de emergencias. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio experimental no comparativo, que evaluó la proporción de éxito en función del las tomas repetidas de la VCI por ultrasonido, mediciones que se tomaron luego de participar en una capacitación teórica y demostrativa de la técnica propuesta; se calificaron los videos según la escala publicada por ACEP. El análisis estadístico se realizó con un modelo logístico multinivel para la proporción del éxito, agrupado por repetición y agrupado por sujeto. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo información de 8 residentes, cada uno realizo 25 repeticiones a 3 modelos sanos con asignación aleatoria. Se realizó la curva de aprendizaje obteniendo en 11 repeticiones una proporción de 0.80 (rango 0.54 a 0.92) y en 21 repeticiones una proporción de 0.9 (rango 0.75 a 0.96), datos ajustados por numero de repetición y residente. CONCLUSIÓN: La curva de aprendizaje para la ventana ecográfica de la VCI es de 11 y 21 repeticiones para obtener el 80% y 90% de éxito en residentes de medicina de emergencias de I a III año de la universidad del rosario.

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin suppresses in vitro epileptiform and in vivo seizure activity in adult rat

Purpose: We assessed the anticonvulsant potential of the phytocannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV) by investigating its effects in an in vitro piriform cortex (PC) brain slice model of epileptiform activity, on cannabinoid CB1 receptor radioligand-binding assays and in a generalized seizure model in rats. Methods: Δ9-THCV was applied before (10 μmΔ9-THCV) or during (10–50 μmΔ9-THCV) epileptiform activity induced by Mg2+-free extracellular media in adult rat PC slices and measured using multielectrode array (MEA) extracellular electrophysiologic techniques. The actions of Δ9-THCV on CB1 receptors were examined using [3H]SR141716A competition binding and [35S]GTPS assays in rat cortical membranes. Effects of Δ9-THCV (0.025–2.5 mg/kg) on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)–induced seizures in adult rats were also assessed. Results: After induction of stable spontaneous epileptiform activity, acute Δ9-THCV application (≥20 μm) significantly reduced burst complex incidence and the amplitude and frequency of paroxysmal depolarizing shifts (PDSs). Furthermore, slices pretreated with 10 μmΔ9-THCV prior to induction of epileptiform activity exhibited significantly reduced burst complex incidence and PDS peak amplitude. In radioligand-binding experiments, Δ9-THCV acted as a CB1 receptor ligand, displacing 0.5 nm [3H]SR141716A with a Ki∼290 nm, but exerted no agonist stimulation of [35S]GTPS binding. In PTZ-induced seizures in vivo, 0.25 mg/kg Δ9-THCV significantly reduced seizure incidence. Discussion: These data demonstrate that Δ9-THCV exerts antiepileptiform and anticonvulsant properties, actions that are consistent with a CB1 receptor–mediated mechanism and suggest possible therapeutic application in the treatment of pathophysiologic hyperexcitability states.

Aggregation of parasitism risk in an aphid-parasitoid system: Effects of plant patch size and aphid density

Few studies have linked density dependence of parasitism and the tritrophic environment within which a parasitoid forages. In the non-crop plant-aphid, Centaurea nigra-Uroleucon jaceae system, mixed patterns of density-dependent parasitism by the parasitoids Aphidius funebris and Trioxys centaureae were observed in a survey of a natural population. Breakdown of density-dependent parasitism revealed that density dependence was inverse in smaller colonies but direct in large colonies (>20 aphids), suggesting there is a threshold effect in parasitoid response to aphid density. The CV2 of searching parasitoids was estimated from parasitism data using a hierarchical generalized linear model, and CV2>1 for A. funebris between plant patches, while for T. centaureae CV2>1 within plant patches. In both cases, density independent heterogeneity was more important than density-dependent heterogeneity in parasitism. Parasitism by T. centaureae increased with increasing plant patch size. Manipulation of aphid colony size and plant patch size revealed that parasitism by A. funebris was directly density dependent at the range of colony sizes tested (50-200 initial aphids), and had a strong positive relationship with plant patch size. The effects of plant patch size detected for both species indicate that the tritrophic environment provides a source of host density independent heterogeneity in parasitism, and can modify density-dependent responses. (c) 2007 Gessellschaft fur Okologie. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.