Algorithmic price recommendations and collusion: Experimental evidence

This paper investigates the collusive and competitive effects of algorithmic price recommendations on market outcomes. These recommendations are often non-binding and common in many markets. We develop a theoretical framework and derive two algorithms that recommend collusive pricing strategies. Utilizing a laboratory experiment, we find that sellers condition their prices on the recommendation of the algorithms. The algorithm with a soft punishment strategy lowers market prices and has a pro-competitive effect. The algorithm that recommends a subgame perfect equilibrium strategy increases the range of market outcomes, including more collusive ones.</p

Sex Mediates the Effects of High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on “Mind-Reading”

Sex differences in social cognitive ability are well established, including measures of Theory of Mind (ToM). The aim of this study was to investigate if sex mediates the effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) administered to a key hub of the social brain (i.e., the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, dmPFC) on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Forty healthy young adults (18–35 years) were randomly allocated to receive either anodal or cathodal HD-tDCS in sham HD-tDCS controlled, double blind designs. In each of the two sessions, subjects completed the RMET. Anodal stimulation to the dmPFC increased accuracy on the RMET in females only. To assure regional specificity we performed a follow-up study stimulating the right temporoparietal junction and found no effect in either sex. The current study is the first to show improved performance on the RMET after tDCS to the dmPFC in females only. The polarity-specific effects and use of focal HD-tDCS provide evidence for sex-dependent differences in dmPFC function in relation to the RMET. Future studies using tDCS to study or improve ToM, need to consider sex

Primeiro isolamento no Brasil de herpesvirus eqüino tipo 1 em um cavalo com doença neurológica

O presente relato refere-se ao primeiro isolamento no Brasil do herpesvírus eqüino tipo 1 (HVE-1) proveniente de um caso clínico de mieloncefalopatia herpética em uma égua, que evoluiu para o óbito. O isolado do HVE-1, denominado 07/05, foi obtido a partir de uma amostra de líquor na primeira passagem em células Vero, confirmando-se sua identidade pela PCR e pela prova de neutralização viral. Como o isolamento viral a partir do líquor geralmente não é bem sucedido, conforme demonstrado em vários relatos de casos, o presente achado sugere que a doença neurológica foi causada por uma amostra particularmente neurovirulenta de HVE-1This report describes the first Brazilian equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) isolation from a single fatal equine herpes myeloencephalopathy case in a mare. The isolation of EHV-1 was confirmed from the first passage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample in Vero cells by PCR and virus neutralization assay. As virus isolation from CSF is unlikely to be successful, as has been shown in several case reports, this circumstantial evidence suggests that the neurological disease was caused by particularly neurovirulent strain of EHV-1FAPES

Diagnosis of Elder Abuse in U.S. Emergency Departments

To estimate the proportion of visits to United States emergency departments (EDs) receiving a diagnosis of elder abuse using two nationally representative datasets

Abhängigkeit der Stichkraft von der Klingenform: Entwicklung eines experimentellen Setups und erste Ergebnisse

Background: In court proceedings, forensic and biomechanical experts frequently have to estimate the stabbing forces necessary for a certain pattern of injury. Studies on this topic are rare. Objective: Development and calibration of an experimental set-up for quantification of dynamic stabbing kinematics and forces. Investigation of the influence of different shaped blades on stabbing forces. Material and methods: We developed and calibrated a handle with an integrated force sensor and an accelerometer. Different blades can be attached to the handle. A total of 27 stabbings were performed by 1 volunteer at medium intensity and preferably reproducible stabbing velocities. We used three blades with different shapes. Gelatine served as tissue simulant. Maximum stabbing velocities were captured via two-dimensional high-speed videography. Results: The force sensor calibration resulted in a nearly perfect linear regression. Stabbing velocities ranged between 2.7 and 5.0 m/s with stabbing forces between 54.8 and 129.3 N. Stabbing with the blunt blade resulted in significantly higher stabbing forces compared to pointed and serrated blades. A similar trend was observed for serrated versus pointed blades, but without statistical significance. A significant dependency of the stabbing velocity on stabbing force could only be proven for the serrated blade. Conclusion: Blade shape and stabbing velocity are factors that can influence the resultant stabbing force. Reliable case evaluation needs the consideration of case-specific knives and circumstances.Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: In Gerichtsverfahren sollen Sachverständige häufig Stichkräfte abschätzen, welche für ein bestimmtes Verletzungsmuster erforderlich waren. Zu diesem Thema existieren nur wenige Studien. Ziele: Entwicklung und Kalibrierung eines Versuchsaufbaus zur Quantifizierung dynamischer Stichbewegungen und -kräfte Untersuchung des Einflusses unterschiedlich geformter Klingen auf die Stichkraft Material und Methoden: Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein Griff mit integriertem Kraft- und Beschleunigungssensor entwickelt und kalibriert. Verschiedene Klingen können am Griff befestigt werden. Es wurden 27 Messerstiche mit drei verschiedenen Klingen von einem Probanden durchgeführt. Als Gewebesurrogat diente Gelatine. Die Stichgeschwindigkeiten wurden mit einer Hochgeschwindigkeitskamera erfasst. Ergebnis und Diskussion: Die Kalibrierung des Kraftsensors ergab eine nahezu perfekte lineare Regression. Die Stichgeschwindigkeiten lagen zwischen 2,7 und 5,0 m/s bei Stichkräften zwischen 54,8 und 129,3 N. Das Stechen mit der stumpfen Klinge resultierte in deutlich höheren Stichkräften im Vergleich zur spitzen oder gezahnten Klinge. Diese Tendenz zeigte sich auch für die gezahnte gegenüber der spitzen Klinge, jedoch ohne statistische Signifikanz. Eine signifikante Abhängigkeit der Stichgeschwindigkeit von der Stichkraft konnte nur für die gezahnte Klinge nachgewiesen werden. Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sowohl die Stichgeschwindigkeit als auch die Klingenform die Stichkraft beeinflussen können. Für eine belastbare Begutachtung bedarf es daher einer Berücksichtigung des jeweiligen Tatmessers und der konkreten Fallumstände

Micro-mechanical testing of transition metal (oxy)nitride coatings

Transition metal (oxy)nitride coatings are used in polymer forming operations for a combination of outstanding wear resistance and chemical compatibility with the polymer materials. Varying the chemical composition and deposition parameters for the coatings will optimise mechanical properties by a combination of chemistry and microstructural optimisation. By developing a representative model for these materials, these materials can be rapidly and efficiently prototyped and improved. However, as both chemistry and microstructure play a role in the material properties, both of these variables must be taken account of in this model. This work demonstrates the first steps in linking quantum-mechanics, micro-mechanics, and meso-scale finite element models together in order to fully understand the behaviour of these coatings. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Patient characteristics of the Accident and Emergency Department of Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya: a cross-sectional, prospective analysis

Background Resource-limited settings are increasingly experiencing a ‘triple burden’ of disease, composed of trauma, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and known communicable disease patterns. However, the epidemiology of acute and emergency care is not well characterised and this limits efforts to further develop emergency care capacity. Objective To define the burden of disease by describing the patient population presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Kenya. Methods We completed a prospective descriptive assessment of patients in KNH’s A&E obtained via systematic sampling over 3 months. Research assistants collected data directly from patients and their charts. Chief complaint and diagnosis codes were grouped for analysis. Patient demographic characteristics were described using the mean and SD for age and n and percentages for categorical variables. International Classification of Disease 10 codes were categorised by 2013 Global Burden of Disease Study methods. Results Data were collected prospectively on 402 patients with an average age of 36 years (SD 19), and of whom, 50% were female. Patients were most likely to arrive by taxi or bus (39%), walking (28%) or ambulance (17%). Thirty-five per cent of patients were diagnosed with NCDs, 24% with injuries and 16% with communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal conditions. Overall, head injury was the single most common final diagnosis and occurred in 32 (8%) patients. The most common patient-reported mechanism for head injury was road traffic accident (39%). Conclusion This study estimates the characteristics of the A&E population at a tertiary centre in Kenya and highlights the triple burden of disease. Our findings emphasise the need for further development of emergency care resources and training to better address patient needs in resource-limited settings, such as KNH

Willingness and Ability of Older Adults in the Emergency Department to Provide Clinical Information Using a Tablet Computer

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134983/1/jgs14366.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134983/2/jgs14366_am.pd