Summary of the DREAM8 Parameter Estimation Challenge: Toward Parameter Identification for Whole-Cell Models

Whole-cell models that explicitly represent all cellular components at the molecular level have the potential to predict phenotype from genotype. However, even for simple bacteria, whole-cell models will contain thousands of parameters, many of which are poorly characterized or unknown. New algorithms are needed to estimate these parameters and enable researchers to build increasingly comprehensive models. We organized the Dialogue for Reverse Engineering Assessments and Methods (DREAM) 8 Whole-Cell Parameter Estimation Challenge to develop new parameter estimation algorithms for whole-cell models. We asked participants to identify a subset of parameters of a whole-cell model given the model’s structure and in silico “experimental” data. Here we describe the challenge, the best performing methods, and new insights into the identifiability of whole-cell models. We also describe several valuable lessons we learned toward improving future challenges. Going forward, we believe that collaborative efforts supported by inexpensive cloud computing have the potential to solve whole-cell model parameter estimation

Gastronomic offer of Warsaw hotels in their guests opinion

The aim of the study was to evaluate the gastronomy services of Warsaw hotels for services offer and personnel. The results of the survey showed an increasing overall rating of catering services as the hotel standard grew. The proper determination of the catering services quality, independent of the standard of the hotel, has proved to be the right service for the consumer. The organoleptic qualities of the dishes, the way they were served, and the price were most important factors determining services offer. Employees’ involvement, customer attitude and communicativeness were the most important factors determining customer service. Customers of hotels offering higher-standard gastronomy were expecting more personalized service, tailored to their needs.</jats:p

Some determinants of distribution processes of local food products in the conditions of the Podkarpacie food marke

The article concerns restrictions and development of the distribution processes of local food productsproduced in the Podkarpacie region against the background of the food market and consumption. The marketsituation of local products in relation to the conditions of distribution processes was characterized andthe barriers and opportunities for development of these processes in the region were diagnosed. The pilotstudies presented the opinions of enterprises, participants of distribution channels of local food products,on the difficulty of distributing these products. The research was carried out in 2017, and empirical datawas obtained by direct interview with entrepreneurs who distribute local food in Podkarpacie. Respondentsindicated that despite the high assessment of local products offered by consumers and the development ofthe food market, there are still difficulties in distributing the products offered beyond the local market, andthe barriers are small scale of production, lack of standardization and limitations in product logistics

VAT compliance, trade, and institutions

We develop a simple model of value added tax (VAT) compliance, and estimate it using widely available national accounts data to learn about compliance in countries where little is currently known. International border controls improve VAT compliance, generating a correlation between imports and aggregate VAT revenues that is informative about domestic noncompliance. Estimates suggest that revenue lost due to domestic non-compliance is large, particularly in countries with low perceived institutional quality. We analyze how our estimates are related to institutional differences among countries, and discuss the implications for tax polic