Partial Verification as a Substitute for Money

Recent work shows that we can use partial verification instead of money to implement truthful mechanisms. In this paper we develop tools to answer the following question. Given an allocation rule that can be made truthful with payments, what is the minimal verification needed to make it truthful without them? Our techniques leverage the geometric relationship between the type space and the set of possible allocations.Comment: Extended Version of 'Partial Verification as a Substitute for Money', AAAI 201

Cytogenetic characterisation of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Nicaragua

BACKGROUND: Within the frame of a twinning programme with Nicaragua, The La Mascota project, we evaluated in our study the contribution of cytogenetic characterization of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as prognostic factor compared to clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical parameters. METHODS: All patients with ALL treated at the only cancer pediatric hospital in Nicaragua during 2006 were studied prospectively. Diagnostic immunophenotyping was performed locally and bone marrow or blood samples were sent to the cytogenetic laboratory of Zurich for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and G-banding. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients with ALL were evaluated. Their mean age at diagnosis was 7.3 years, 31.8% were >or=10 years. Thirty-four patients (51.5%) presented with hyperleucocytosis >or=50 x 10(9)/L, 45 (68.2%) had hepatosplenomegaly. Immunophenotypically 63/66 patients (95%) had a B-precursor, 2 (3%) a T- and 1 (1.5%) a B-mature ALL. FISH analysis demonstrated a TEL/AML1 fusion in 9/66 (14%), BCR/ABL fusion in 1 (1.5%), MLL rearrangement in 2 (3.1%), iAMP21 in 2 (3.1%), MYC rearrangement in 1 (1.5%), and high-hyperdiploidy in 16 (24%). All patients but two with TEL/AML1 fusion and high-hyperdiploidy were clinically and hematologically in the standard risk group whereas those with poor cytogenetic factors had clinical high-risk features and were treated intensively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to Europe, the ALL population in Nicaragua is older, has a higher proportion of poor prognostic clinical and hematological features and receives more intensive treatment, while patients with TEL/AML1 translocations and high-hyperdiploidy are clinically in the standard risk group. Cytogenetics did not contribute as an additional prognostic factor in this setting

The relations between Bolivia and Brazil during XXI century: energy and diplomatic tensions

A partir de la llegada del Partido de los Trabajadores al Ejecutivo brasilero en 2003, las relaciones con Bolivia ingresaron –en comparación con épocas anteriores- a una etapa intensa y dinámica que se fue consolidando tras la asunción presidencial de Evo Morales. En el transcurso del siglo XXI ambos Estados han procurado construir una agenda diversificada que respondiera a las múltiples necesidades de la vinculación. Sin embargo, hubo dos temas que concentraron los esfuerzos políticos en el período 2003- 2013: el negocio del gas natural y los desencuentros en torno al asilo diplomático otorgado por el gobierno de Rousseff al ex senador boliviano Roger Pinto Molina. El presente trabajo analiza –desde un enfoque cualitativo- estas dos temáticas, considerando que las mismas han motivado los principales momentos de cooperación y discordia en el vínculo bilateral actual.Since the arrival of Lula administration in 2003, relations between Brazil and Bolivia became more intense and dynamic; situation which was consolidated after Evo Morales won presidential elections in 2005. At the present century these States have shown efforts to build a diversified agenda which can respond to the multiple needs and problems that are part of bilateral relation. However, two issues concentrated the attention and the political efforts during 2003-2013: the imports/exports of natural gas and the disagreements about the treatment of diplomatic asylum in Roger Pinto Molina case. From a qualitative methodology, this paper analyses these two issues, considering that they have motivated the most important moments of cooperation and conflict of current bilateral relation.Fil: Ceppi, Natalia Paola. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Differentiation and Dynamics of Competitiveness Impacts from the EU ETS

We summarise the main factors that differentiate impacts of the EU ETS on profitability and market share. By examining and sampling a range of sectors, we present some simple metrics and indicators to help judge the nature of potential impacts. We also consider briefly the mitigation response to these impacts by sectors, and how they may evolve over time. The broad conclusion confirms the aggregate findings presented in the existing literature - more participating sectors are likely to profit under the current ETS structure out to 2012 at the cost of a modest loss of market share, but this may not hold for individual companies and regions. The period 2008-12 can assist technology investments and diversification, providing the continuation and basic principles of the EU ETS post-2012 is quickly defined and incentives are in place for sectors to pursue this