bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rain attenuation predictions on terrestrial radio links: differential equations approach
Authors: Abdulrahman A.Y. , Rahman T.A. , Rahim S. K. A. , Islam Md Rafiqul , Abdulrahman M. K. A.
Published: January 2012

The results of rain attenuation on terrestrial microwave links in a tropical climate has been reported in this paper. The results are presented in the form of rate of change of attenuation with respect to rain rate, denoted by S(R%p). This is in turn used for predicting the expected rain attenuation at any %p of the time rain rate is exceeded in any tropical location. The predictions of the proposed model have been validated using the data collected in six locations in Malaysia and experimental results reported in other tropical locations that have a similar rainfall regime. The Malaysian data consist of 1‐year measured rain attenuation over six DIGI MINI‐LINKs operating at 15 GHz, and rainfall rates measured with both 1‐minute and 1‐hour integration times at the respective locations. The validity of the proposed model is further validated by comparing its estimates with the method of ITU‐R Radiocommunication Sector of ITU and two classical rain attenuation prediction models particularly developed for tropical regions. The test results have shown that the proposed method seems to be more accurate than the proposed method seems to be more accurate than ITU‐R and the other two prediction models in Malaysia. The method could be used as an alternative approach for predicting rain attenuation over any terrestrial microwave links in Malaysia and similar tropical climates. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Major moisture sources for Western and Southern India and their role on synoptic‐scale rainfall events
Authors: Ordóñez Paulina , Ribera Pedro , Gallego David , Peña‐Ortiz Cristina
Published: January 2012

Although the identification of the moisture sources of a region is of prominent importance to characterize precipitation, the origin and amount of moisture towards the Indian Subcontinent and its relationship with the occurrence of precipitation are still not completely understood.

In this article, the origin of the atmospheric water arriving to the Western and Southern India during a period of 5 years (1 January 2000–31 December 2004) is investigated by using a Lagrangian diagnosis method. This methodology computes budgets of evaporation minus precipitation by calculating changes in the specific humidity of thousands of air particles aimed to the study area following the observed winds. During the summer monsoon, the main supply of moisture is the Somali Jet, which crosses the equator by the West Indian Ocean. The recycling process is the main water vapour source in winter. Two additional moisture sources located over northwestern India and the Bay of Bengal are identified.

A 30% increase in the moisture flux from the Indian Ocean has been related to the occurrence of strong precipitation in the area, and at the end of the monsoon, the recycling became a significant contribution to the last part of the wet season of Western and Southern India. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Reminder and a Suggestion
Authors: Belka Brother Marion F.
Published: January 2012

… concerned with the whole of man's life … dignity of a human being … develop harmoniously their physical, moral, and intellectual endowments … acquire a sense of responsibility in striving endlessly to form their own lives properly … foster a sense of values … to prepare for professional life … as they develop their own personality … stimulate students to act for themselves….
Calciotropic hormones and the risk of hip and nonspine fractures in older adults: The health ABC study
Authors: Barbour Kamil E , Houston Denise K , Cummings Steven R , Boudreau Robert , Prasad Tanushree , Sheu Yahtyng , Bauer Douglas C , Tooze Janet A , Kritchevsky Stephen B , Tylavsky Frances A , Harris Tamara B , Cauley Jane A ,   for the Health ABC Study
Published: January 2012

The effects of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels on incident fracture remain uncertain. To test the hypothesis that increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and decreasing PTH levels are associated with decreased risk of hip and any nonspine fracture, we conducted a prospective cohort study among 2614 community-dwelling white and black participants, aged ≥70 years, from the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study. Serum and plasma samples were drawn at year 2, which formed the baseline for this analysis. Serum 25(OH)D and intact PTH (1-84) were measured using radioimmunoassay with DiaSorin reagents and EDTA plasma with a two-site immunoradiometric assay kit, respectively. Incident fractures (hip and any nonspine) were assessed after year 2, every 6 months, by self-report and validated by radiology reports. The median (interquartile range) follow-up times for hip and any nonspine fractures were 6.4 (6.1–6.5) and 6.4 (5.5–6.5) years, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for fracture. There were 84 hip and 247 nonspine fractures that occurred over the follow-up period. The multivariable adjusted HRs (95% CIs) of hip fracture for participants in the lowest (≤17.78 ng/mL), second (17.79 to 24.36 ng/mL), and third quartiles (24.37 to 31.94 ng/mL) of 25(OH)D were 1.92 (0.97 to 3.83), 0.75 (0.32 to 1.72) and 1.86 (1.00 to 3.45), respectively, compared with participants in the highest 25(OH)D quartile (>31.94 ng/mL) (p trend = 0.217). Additional adjustment for IL-6 (p = 0.107), PTH (p = 0.124), and hip areal bone mineral density (p = 0.137) attenuated HRs of hip fracture in the lowest quartile by 16.3%, 17.4%, and 26.1%, respectively. There was no evidence of an association between 25(OH)D and any nonspine fractures, or between PTH and hip or any nonspine fractures. We found limited evidence to support an association between calciotropic hormones and hip and nonspine fractures in older men and women. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
LTBPs, more than just an escort service
Authors: Todorovic Vesna , Rifkin Daniel B.
Published: January 2012

Latent transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) binding proteins (LTBPs) are large extracellular glycoproteins structurally similar to fibrillins. They perform intricate and important roles in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and perturbations of their function manifest as a wide range of diseases. LTBPs are major regulators of TGF‐β bioavailability and action. In addition, LTBPs interact with other ECM proteins—from cytokines to large multi‐factorial aggregates like microfibrils and elastic fibers, affecting their genesis, structure, and performance. In the present article, we review recent advancements in the field and relate the complex roles of LTBP in development and homeostasis. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 410–418, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Salicylideneamino‐2‐thiophenol enhances osteogenic differentiation through the activation of MAPK pathways in multipotent bone marrow stem cell
Authors: Kim Hyung Keun , Park Kyung Soon , Lee Jun Sik , Kim Ji Hyun , Park Dae Sung , Shin Jung‐Woog , Yoon Taek Rim
Published: January 2012

Osteoporosis is a reduction in skeletal mass due to an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. Therefore, the identification of specific stimulators of bone formation is of therapeutic significance in the treatment of osteoporosis. Salicylideneamino‐2‐thiophenol (Sal‐2) consists of two benzene rings, has been reported to possess antioxidant activity, and is an effective remedy for fever and rheumatic diseases. However, until now the effects of osteoblastic bone formation by Sal‐2 were unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of Sal‐2 on osteogenic differentiation of multipotent bone marrow stromal stem cells by alizarin red S staining for osteogenic differentiation, RT‐PCR and western blot for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and signaling pathways, FACS analysis and immunofluorescence staining for CD44 and CD51 expression, calcium assays, and immunofluorescence staining for signaling pathways. We found that Sal‐2 enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of multipotent bone marrow stromal stem cells. Sal‐2 treatment induced the expression and activity of ALP, and enhanced the levels of CD44 and CD51 expression as well as Ca2+ content, in multipotent bone marrow stromal stem cells. Moreover, we found that Sal‐2‐induced osteogenic differentiation and expression of osteogenesis‐related molecules involve the activation of the MAPK and nuclear factor‐κB pathways. Our findings provide insight into both the mechanism and effects of Sal‐2 on osteogenic differentiation and demonstrate that Sal‐2 may be a beneficial adjuvant in stimulating bone formation in osteoporotic diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1833–1841, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two‐step evaluation of binding energy and potential energy surface of van der Waals complexes
Authors: Deshmukh Milind M. , Sakaki Shigeyoshi
Published: January 2012

Evaluation of intermolecular distance and binding energy (BE) of van der Waals complex/cluster at ab initio level of theory is computationally demanding when many monomers are involved. Starting from MP2 energy, we reached a two‐step evaluation method of BE of van der Waals complex/cluster through reasonable approximations;
$ {\rm BE} = {\rm BE(HF)} +\sum _{{{\rm M}{i}}>{{\rm M}j}}\{{\rm BE}_{{{\rm M}i}-{{\rm M}j}}({\rm MP2} \ {\rm or} \ {\rm MP}2.5)-{\rm BE}_{{{\rm M}i}-{{M}j}}({\rm HF})\} $
where HF represents the Hartree‐Fock calculation, Mi, Mj, etc. are interacting monomers, and MP2.5 represents the arithmetic mean of MP2 and MP3. The first term is the usual BE of the complex/cluster evaluated at the HF level. The second term is the sum of the difference in two‐body BE between the correlated and HF levels of theory. This equation was applied to various van der Waals complexes consisting of up‐to‐four monomers at MP2 and MP2.5 levels of theory. We found that this method is capable of providing precise estimate of the BE and reproducing well the potential energy surface of van der Waals complexes/clusters; the maximum error of the BE is less than 1 kcal/mol and 1% in most cases except for several limited cases. The origins of error in these cases are discussed in detail. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
Influence of the insecticide pyriproxyfen on the flight muscle differentiation of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae)
Authors: Fernandez Fernanda Corrêa , Da Cruz‐Landim Carminda , Malaspina Osmar
Published: January 2012

The Brazilian africanized Apis mellifera is currently considered as one of the most important pollinators threatened by the use of insecticides due to its frequent exposition to their toxic action while foraging in the crops it pollinated. Among the insecticides, the most used in the control of insect pragues has as active agent the pyriproxyfen, analogous to the juvenile hormone (JH). Unfortunately the insecticides used in agriculture affect not only the target insects but also beneficial nontarget ones as bees compromising therefore, the growth rate of their colonies at the boundaries of crop fields. Workers that forage for provisions in contaminated areas can introduce contaminated pollen or/and nectar inside the beehives. As analogous to JH the insecticide pyriproxyfen acts in the bee's larval growth and differentiation during pupation or metamorphosis timing. The flighty muscle is not present in the larvae wingless organisms, but differentiates during pupation/metamorphosis. This work aimed to investigate the effect of pyriproxyfen insecticide on differentiation of such musculature in workers of Brazilian africanized honey bees fed with artificial diet containing the pesticide. The results show that the bees fed with contaminated diet, independent of the insecticide concentration used, show a delay in flight muscle differentiation when compared to the control. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:844–848, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison between two different methods for evaluating rumen papillae measures related to different diets
Authors: Scocco Paola , Brusaferro Andrea , Catorci Andrea
Published: January 2012

Although the Geographical Information System (GIS), which integrates computerized drawing computer assisted design (CAD) and relational databases (data base management system (DBMS)), is best known for applications in geographical and planning cartography, it can also use many kinds of information concerning the territory. A multidisciplinary project was initiated since 5 years a multidisciplinary study was initiated to use GIS to integrate environmental and ecological data with findings on animal health, ethology, and anatomy. This study is chiefly aimed at comparing two different methods for measuring the absorptive surface of rumen papillae. To this scope, 21 female sheep (Ovis aries) on different alimentary regimes (e.g., milk and forage mixed diet, early herbaceous diet, dry hay diet, and fresh hay diet at the maximum of pasture flowering and at the maximum of pasture dryness) were used; after slaughtering, 20 papillae were randomly removed from each sample collected from four indicator regions of rumen wall, placed near a metric reference and digitally photographed. The images were developed with the ArcGIS™ software to calculate the area of rumen papillae by means of GIS and to measure their mid‐level width and length to calculate the papillae area as previously performed with a different method. Spatial measurements were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. This work demonstrates that the GIS methodology can be efficiently used for measuring the absorptive surface of rumen papillae. In addition, GIS demonstrated to be a rapid, precise, and objective tool when compared with previously used method. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CHM/REP1 cDNA delivery by lentiviral vectors provides functional expression of the transgene in the retinal pigment epithelium of choroideremia mice
Authors: Tolmachova Tanya , Tolmachov Oleg E. , Wavre‐Shapton Silene T. , Tracey‐White Dhani , Futter Clare E. , Seabra Miguel C.
Published: January 2012

Background

Choroideremia (CHM) is a progressive X‐linked degeneration of three ocular layers: photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid, caused by the loss of Rab Escort Protein‐1 (REP1). As a recessive monogenic disorder, CHM is potentially curable by gene addition therapy. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential use of lentiviral vectors carrying CHM/REP1 cDNA transgene for CHM treatment.

Methods

We generated lentiviral vectors carrying either CHM/REP1 cDNA or EGFP transgene under the control of the elongation factor‐1α promoter (EF‐1α) or its shortened version EFS. We transduced human (HT1080) and dog (D17) cells, CHM patient's fibroblasts and mouse primary RPE cells in vitro, as well as wild‐type and CHM mouse retinas in vivo by subretinal injections. Transgene expression was confirmed by immunoblotting, fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. CHM/REP1 transgene functionality was assessed by an in vitro prenylation assay.

Results

Lentiviral vectors with CHM/REP1 and EGFP transgenes efficiently transduced HT1080, D17 and CHM fibroblast cells; CHM/REP1 transgene lead to an increase in prenylation activity. Subretinal injections of lentiviral vectors into mouse retinas resulted in efficient transduction of the RPE (30–35% of total RPE cells transduced after a 1‐µl injection), long‐term expression for at least 6 months and a decrease in amount of unprenylated Rabs in the CHM RPE. Transduction of neuroretinal cells was restricted to the injection site.

Conclusions

Lentiviral CHM/REP1 cDNA transgene rescues the prenylation defect in CHM mouse RPE and thus could be used to restore REP1 activity in the RPE of CHM patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the relative ligand‐binding strengths in heteroleptic IrIIIcomplexes by ESI‐Q‐TOF tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Altuntaş Esra , Winter Andreas , Baumgaertel Anja , Paulus Renzo M. , Ulbricht Christoph , Crecelius Anna C. , Risch Nikolaus , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: January 2012

An electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer has been utilized to investigate the relative ligand‐binding strengths in a series of heteroleptic‐charged iridium(III) complexes of the general formula [(C^N)2IrIII(S‐tpy)](PF6) by using variable collision energies. Collision‐induced dissociation experiments were performed in order to study the stability of the IrIIIcomplexes that are, for instance, suitable phosphors in light‐emitting electrochemical cells. The ratio of signal intensities belonging to the fragment and the undissociated complex depends on the collision energy applied for the tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) analysis. By defining the threshold collision energy and the point of complete complex dissociation, it is possible to estimate the relative complex stabilities depending on the nature of the coordinated ligands [i.e. type of cyclometalating ligand (C^N), substituents on the S‐shaped terpyridine (S‐tpy)]. The collision energy values differed as a function of the coordination sphere of the IrIIIcenters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of local factors on the prediction of fumonisin contamination in maize
Authors: Torelli Emanuela , Firrao Giuseppe , Bianchi Gianluca , Saccardo Federica , Locci Romano
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: Contamination by mycotoxins is a major concern to the maize industry in north‐east Italy where maize grain is often spoiled by Fusarium spp. In this work, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were determined and an artificial neural network (ANN) model suitable for predicting mycotoxin contamination of maize at harvest time was developed.

RESULTS: The occurrence of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone was very limited, while fumonisins concentration ranged from 163 and to 3663 µg kg−1 in 2007, and from 333 to 11473 µg kg−1 in 2008. Statistical data analysis of factors affecting fumonisins concentration revealed that irrigation, chemical treatment against the European corn borer and harvest date significantly affected the level of contamination (P < 0.05), although the relevance of the factors was different in 2007 and 2008. The neural network approach showed a significant correlation between ascertained values and predictions based on agronomic data.

CONCLUSION: This is the first time that an artificial neural network has been used to predict fumonisin accumulation in maize: the prediction has been shown to have the potential for the development of a new approach for the rapid cataloging of grain lots. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Gas‐phase oxidation of cresol isomers initiated by OH or NO3 radicals in the presence of NO2
Authors: Jørgensen Solvejg
Published: January 2012

We have studied the reaction mechanism for both the NO3‐ and OH‐initiated atmospheric oxidation of three cresol isomers, p‐cresol, m‐cresol, and o‐cresol, in the presence of high NO2 concentration. We have focused on the reaction mechanism leading to ring‐retaining products. Geometries of the reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products have been optimized at DFT‐BB1K level of theory with the 6‐311+G(d,p) basis set. The single point energy calculations have been carried out at the CCSD(T) level of theory with the cc‐pVDZ basis set. Several energetically favorable reaction pathways were revealed for the first time. In the NO3‐initiated reaction, the NO3 radical is added to the carbon atom with the OH group, then the NO2 radical is added to one of the neighboring carbon atoms, and finally HNO3 is eliminated, leading to a methylnitrophenol isomer. In the OH‐initiated reaction, the OH radical is added to the carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom with the OH group; second, the NO2 radical is added to the carbon atom with the original OH group, and, finally, HNO2 is eliminated, leading to a dihydroxymethylbenzene isomer. The calculated results were compared with available experimental observations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 165–178, 2012
Safety analysis of percutaneous dilational tracheostomies with bronchoscopy in the obese patient
Authors: McCague Andrew , Aljanabi Harith , Wong David T.
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Since originally described in 1985 by Ciaglia, percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) has grown in popularity, and today is widely used for critically ill patients requiring long‐term mechanical ventilation. Since the inception of PDT, obesity has been considered a relative contraindication to its use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risks of PDT in obese patients.

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of prospectively collected data from 426 patients who underwent PDT at a single teaching institution from July 2003 to October 2009. The groups were separated into those who had a body mass index (BMI) of <30 or ≥30 kg/m2. The following variables were collected: blood loss at the time of procedure, difficulty in tracheotomy dilation and/or tracheostomy placement, presence of tracheal ring breaks, any bleeding episodes requiring treatment by surgery or blood transfusion, pre‐ and postprocedure pneumonia, and stoma infection requiring antibiotics. All tracheostomies were placed using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino Introducer Kit (Cook Medical Inc., Bloomington, IN). Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric statistics using χ2 testing with P < .05 as significant.

Results:

No statistically significant difference was found between the obese and nonobese groups for any of the variables studied. Similar results were found when BMI of 40 was used for grouping.

Conclusions:

PDT can be performed safely in obese patients. There were no statistically significant differences in measured variables found between the two study groups. This study supports the use of intensive care unit bedside PDT in the obese population.
Adenotonsillar hypertrophy: Correlation between obstruction types and cardiopulmonary complications
Authors: Tatlıpınar Arzu , Biteker Murat , Meriç Kaan , Bayraktar Gülüm İvgin , Tekkeşin Ahmet İlker , Gökçeer Tanju
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate the association of upper airway obstruction (UAO) type and cardiopulmonary complications in children. The effect of obstruction type on quality of life and severity of obstructive symptoms were also investigated.

Study Design:

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods:

A Brodsky scale and adenoid‐nasopharynx ratio (ANR) were used to categorize tonsil and adenoid size, respectively. The patients were divided into four groups according to obstruction type: adenoid hypertrophy only (ANR ≥ 0.63, tonsil grade 1 or 2), adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy (ANR ≥ 0.63, tonsil grade 3 or 4), tonsillar hypertrophy only (ANR < 0.63, tonsil grade 3 or 4), and normal (ANR < 0.63, tonsil grade 1 or 2). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and right ventricle myocardial performance index (RVMPI) were evaluated for each patient. The obstructive sleep apnea questionnaire (OSA‐18) and Brouilette symptom score questionnaire were completed by each child's parents.

Results:

MPAP was higher in patients with adenoid hypertrophy and adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy in comparison with the normal group. The P values were .079 and .055, respectively, when comparing TAPSE and RVMPI measurents in adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy and normal patients. A significant correlation was found between ANR and MPAP, RVMP, and TAPSE. The patients in the adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy group had the highest Brouilette symptom and OSA‐18 scores.

Conclusions:

Patients with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy are at a higher risk for cardiopulmonary complications, poorer quality of life, and more severe UAO symptoms and should have priority for surgical treatment to prevent cardiopulmonary complications.
Anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens in the biofilm formation on voice prostheses: A pilot study
Authors: Bertl Kristina , Zatorska Beata , Leonhard Matthias , Matejka Michael , Schneider‐Stickler Berit
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Voice rehabilitation with voice prostheses is a standard therapy in laryngectomized patients. Biofilm formation on the surface of the voice prostheses causes device failure and requires frequent replacements. Studies analyzing the biofilm of voice prostheses have mainly focused on aerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria as an integral part of the biofilms on voice prostheses have not been investigated yet.

Study Design:

Prospective pilot study on the occurrence of anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens in biofilm formation on voice prostheses.

Methods:

Biofilm samples of 15 voice prostheses were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction‐based hybridization method regarding the presence of 11 selected anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens.

Results:

In 80% of the voice prostheses, at least one and up to 10 of the tested bacteria could be identified. Fusobacterium nucleatum was the pathogen most often present (73%). Other frequently occurring pathogens were Treponema denticola (40%), Tannerella forsythia (33%), and Eikenella corrodens (33%). There was no correlation between the number of identified bacteria and the indwelling times (mean, 127 days; maximum, 344 days; minimum, 22 days).

Conclusions:

For the first time, anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens have been identified as part of the biofilm formation on the surface of voice prostheses. Those pathogens might be responsible for accelerated biofilm formation and reduced lifetime of the voice prostheses.
Tools to Simulate Distributive Mixing in Twin‐Screw Extruders
Authors: Sarhangi Fard Arash , Hulsen Martien A. , Meijer Han E. H. , Famili Navid M. H. , Anderson Patrick D.
Published: January 2012

The application of the mapping method in finite element modeling is extended to quantitatively compare mixing in different twin‐screw extruder layouts. The mapping method provides volumetric quantities, which are crucial for the analysis and optimization of mixing based on the tracking of particles in the velocity field. A new approach to the mapping method is developed to analyze mixing in complex, dynamic open geometries. Several screw configurations and different types of conveying screws are compared, changing the pitch and gap widths. The volume‐weighted intensity of segregation is used as a mixing measure.

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The p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism is associated with risk of lung cancer in the Han nationality of North China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoai , Li Xu , Wu Zhihao , Lin Fangcai , Zhou Hong
Published: January 2012

p73, a structural and functional homolog of p53, plays an important role in tumor carcinogenesis. Previous studies have suggested that the association between the p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer, but the results have not been entirely consistent. We examined whether the p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism was related to the risk of developing lung cancer in a Chinese population. The p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism was genotyped in 293 lung cancer patients and 380 cancer‐free controls of Han nationality in North China using PCR‐RFLP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We observed that compared with the GC/GC genotype, the genotypes containing AT allele (GC/AT + AT/AT genotypes) were associated with significantly increased susceptibility to lung cancer (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08–2.02; P = 0.014). In addition, compared with the GC/GC genotype, the GC/AT genotype was also significantly associated with increased susceptibility to lung cancer (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.06–2.02; P = 0.046). Our findings suggest that the p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism contributes to the risk of developing lung cancer in Chinese population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of patent expiration on the market position of drugs
Authors: Statman Meir
Published: January 2012

A sample of 12 major drugs is used to examine the effect of patent expiration on market shares and prices in the US market. The results indicate that patent expiration has, at least for the first few years, only a small effect on the market shares and prices of the original drags. Efforts to increase price competion in drug markets, however, may change this situation in the future. The declining effective patent period for drugs and the declining profitability of drug innovation raise the concern that efforts to foster price competition might result in lower levels of innovation.
International pharmaceutical supply prices: Definitions — problems — policy implications
Authors: Von Grebmer K.
Published: January 2012

In cases where the buyer and the seller of goods and services are companies belonging to the same group the prices charged for goods and services are called ‘international delivery prices’ or ‘international transfer prices’. The peculiarities of research‐based companies are such that attempts to ascertain in practice what constitutes an ‘appropriate’ international delivery price are beset by a number of problems. Any scheme that is devised to solve the problems of international transfer prices should feature general ‘rules’ on how the various countries ought to share in central costs. As international transfer prices are a prerequisite for an efficient world economy based on the division of labour an agreement should be reached on the design and content of suitable delivery price systems for a research‐intensive industry.
Technology and market structure in the analysis of exchange
Authors: Moss S. J.
Published: January 2012

Economists treat the ‘market’ as a black box in which prices rise and fall to equate supplies with demands. Obviously, however, markets are usually collections of institutions. Using conventional methods of economic analysis, it is argued that certain physical characteristics of commodities, the technologies of their production and use, and buyer and seller concentration lead to the development of particular institutional arrangements composing markets. These institutional arrangements are efficient in the sense that they require the least use of resources in effecting transactions.
Discounting inflation — a note
Authors: Hill Stephen , Gough Julian
Published: January 2012

The aim of this paper is to clarify the confused issue of the effect of inflation on the discounting procedure for investment appraisal. The standard approach is considered, together with the impact of inflation, and the problem of how to adjust the standard approach to take account of inflation. The point is made that it is usually easiest to estimate expected returns in current prices, in which case the discount rate should reflect the real opportunity cost of capital, to avoid mixing real returns and nominal interest in a manner which leads to the rejection of worthwhile projects. An example is given of how the real rate of interest can be computed from the nominal rate of interest and the rate of inflation, and the difference this makes to discounting a sample project. The paper then illustrates how real rates of interest have frequently been negative over the past decade and how this implies that projects may be acceptable even if the sum of future undiscounted returns is less than the initial outlay. The conclusion drawn is that investors should maximize economic profit defined as the surplus over opportunity cost, which reduces the deterrent of nominally high interest rates, for the maximization of surplus over opportunity cost has the corollary of minimization of opportunity loss.
A new approach to peak load pricing
Authors: Main Robert S.
Published: January 2012

This paper explores an alternative method of ‘solving’ the problem of recurring time variable demands in a public utility context. It views the utility's load curve as a series of horizontal layers or ‘slices’ of varying lengths, rather than as a series of vertical slices as in the traditional approach. Several cases are examined, and traditional time‐of‐day pricing is shown to be inefficient or inapplicable in some of them, while ‘demand‐layer’ pricing, based on horizontal slicing, is efficient. In still other cases, neither method of pricing is efficient.
Market servicing by multinational manufacturing firms: Exporting versus foreign production
Authors: Buckley Peter J. , Pearce Robert D.
Published: January 2012

The foreign market servicing behaviour of multinational manufacturing firms evolves over time as a result of the firms' reaction to internal and external pressures. The interplay of immobile ‘location factors’ with internal ‘ownership factors’ under the control of individual enterprises exercises a powerful influence on the choice between exporting and foreign investment. Plant economies of scale encourage exporting, whilst firm level economies of scale, such as the internalization of the fruits of research, may predispose the firm towards foreign investment. Socio‐political and cultural elements arising particularly from the nationality of ownership of the firm also influence market servicing strategy.
The cost of capital in the international firm
Authors: Giddy Ian H.
Published: January 2012

This paper argues that the international firm should use the firm's global weighted average cost of capital to evaluate investment decisions, domestic and international, and to judge the performance of affiliates at home and abroad. The paper discusses the adjustment necessary to quantitate exchange risk and to account for financing that is subsidized or tied to particular investments. Foreign subsidiaries, it is argued, do not have an independent capital structure because their liabilities are explicitly or implicitly the obligation of the parent firm.
The firm's insurance decision. Some questions raised by the capital asset pricing model
Authors: Main Brian G. M.
Published: January 2012

Using the capital asset pricing model it is shown that the firm will be indifferent towards insurance against specific risks. Insurance against systematic risks involves a transfer of these non‐diversifiable risks from the firm to the insurance company, and will thus only be available at a price which reflects the ‘market price of risk’. Again the firm will be indifferent towards insurance. This then leads to the investigation of alternative motivations for a firm purchasing insurance — the costs of financial distress, human capital considerations, asymmetry of information and tax laws.
Innovations and market structure in West German industries
Authors: Neumann M. , Böbel I. , Haid A.
Published: January 2012

The authors analyse the relationship between industry concentration and industry's R&D and innovative activities, for West German industries during the period 1965–1977. The most striking result produced by a single equation model and a simultaneous equations model is the adverse impact of size and industry concentration on productivity growth. On the other hand, however, both size and concentration give rise to faster growth of sales which in turn enhances productivity growth.
Quantity and price controls by the firm under demand uncertainty and welfare implications
Authors: Adar Zvi , Arad Ruth
Published: January 2012

A monopoly facing an uncertain demand can affect its profit distribution through the choice of ex ante controls. This paper compares two modes of behavior ‐ price‐setting and quantity‐setting ‐ in the context of a mean‐variance model. The main results are: (a) With nonlinear cost, the monopoly will not be indifferent between the two modes. In the particular case of quadratic cost, conditions for the dominance of price‐setting over quantity‐setting behavior are derived. (b) Whereas it is well‐known that the risk averse, quantity‐setting monopoly will produce less under uncertainty than under certainty (or risk neutrality), the price‐setting monopoly increases its expected output when faced by uncertain demand, possibly exceeding even the competitive output under uncertainty. (c) Using expected social surplus as a welfare criterion, price‐setting emerges as the welfare‐dominant behavior when there is a conflict between the privately and the socially preferred modes. (d) Finally, there exist conditions where price‐setting monopolies welfare‐dominate a competitive industry facing the same random demand.
The cotton weaving industry in European countries: Size of firm, static and dynamic efficiency
Authors: Giuiuzza Paolo , Mariotti Sergio
Published: January 2012

This paper is based on the results of a field work analysis of the cotton weaving industry, focusing on the relationships between performance, size and structure of firms. The results are utilized to compare models of the industries in the main European countries and to evaluate their competitiveness in the light of both standard and some non‐standard efficiency criteria.
Concentration, unionization and the distribution of income in Canadian manufacturing industry
Authors: Hollander Abraham
Published: January 2012

An attempt is made to assess how the unionization of labor and the presence of buyers possessing monopsony power affects the distribution of income among the factors of production in Canadian manufacturing. It is found that these variables have a composite effect. They transfer income from factors of production in one industry to the factors in another. They also affect the distribution of income between labor and capital within industries.
Multinationalization in the pharmaceutical industry as a response to national health policies
Authors: Heiduk Günter
Published: January 2012

This study shows that from the viewpoint of the German pharmaceutical industry the French and Italian markets require an unusual corporate international strategy. Foreign subsidiaries export bulk chemicals and semi‐processed drugs. Regulation favouring direct foreign investment results in foreign affiliates carrying out nearly the same range of activities as their parent companies. Entry into these markets is thus deterred. Some conclusions are drawn on the consequences of such international competitive restrictions as they effect the market performance of international competitive processes.
Theory and history in marketing
Authors: Kirkpatrick Jerry
Published: January 2012

This article presents a theoretical foundation for marketing based on the ideas of the Austrian school of economists. After a discussion of the methodological foundations of Austrian economics, which reject the statistical and experimental methods of the physical sciences as the means to verify theory in the social sciences, the article presents the Austrians' principle of methodological individualism, which provides the basis for a theory of entrepreneurship and marketing.
New public stock issues by seasoned and unseasoned firms: A comparative analysis in a turbulent environment—the case of israel
Authors: Barniv Ran , Bulmash Samuel B.
Published: January 2012

This study presents and examines new evidence on the relationship between financial structure and ownership in New and Veteran Public firms (sometimes known as unseasoned or seasoned firms, respectively). The major findings are: (1) the cost of capital and the cost of equity increased with financial leverage, but at a different magnitude in new and veteran public firms reflecting different risk conceptions; and (2) management and administration costs for new public firms are indicated to be higher than for veteran public firms. Reasons for and implications of these findings are subsequently discussed.
Between markets and hierarchies: The multinational operations of Japanese general trading companies
Authors: Enderwick Peter
Published: January 2012

This paper questions the conclusion of Kojima and Ozawa (1984) that the overseas activities of Japanese General Trading Companies are best explained by Japanese‐type theories of the multinational enterprise. Such investments appear amenable to inclusion within the prevailing micro‐economic paradigm when due consideration is given to the existence of ownership‐specific advantages and economic incentives to federated business relationships. The inadequacies of the Kojima/Ozawa treatment stem from reliance on a deficient theoretical base, selective description of the characteristics of trading companies and superficial treatment of the modern theory of the multinational enterprise. The reinterpretation offered casts doubts on the proferred welfare effects of this type of investment.
Financial markets and the limits of regulation
Authors: Wall Richard A. , Gort Michael
Published: January 2012

The paper examines the effect of electric utility growth on the marginal returns to investment. Despite the presence of regulatory lag between rises in construction costs and public utility rates, cross‐section analysis showed a positive effect of investment on the ratio of market to book value of equity. This result, it is shown, stems from a feedback mechanism from financial markets to regulatory commission behavior. The statistical analysis is carried out with a sample of sixty companies in the period 1961–83.
Evaluating capital investment projects
Authors: Ben‐Horim Moshe , Sivakumar Narayanaswamy
Published: January 2012

The risk‐adjusted discount rate method for evaluating capital investment projects applies the risk‐adjusted rate to equilibrium as well as disequilibrium expected returns, leading to biased NPV calculations. This paper uses the CAPM framework, and suggests a procedure for applying the risk‐adjusted rate without causing a bias. The procedure is shown to result in NPVs identical to those obtained by the certainty equivalent approach. A comparison with a previously suggested procedure is also provided.
Production theory with profit‐constrained revenue‐maximization: The duality approach
Authors: Kahana Nava , Nitzan Shmuel
Published: January 2012

This paper derives a general version of Baumol's production theory, where the main behavioral assumption is ‘revenue maximization subject to a profit constraint’ instead of ‘profit maximization’. This theory turns out to be analogous to the neoclassical (competitive) production and consumption theories. Employing the fruitful duality approach it is presented here in a unified and very economical form that provides a complete and general analysis of the comparative static behavior of Baumol's firm.
Costs and goals of the multiproduct firm
Authors: Ladd George W.
Published: January 2012

A profit‐maximizing multiproduct firm's optimum production and pricing decision rules are different if the firm's fixed resources are fully employed than if they are underutilized. If they are fully employed, the opportunity cost of using a fixed input affects the firm's pricing decisions. The way for a multiproduct firm to maximize profit is to lose money on a product if large volume and low price of that product increases sales or reduces cost for other products sufficiently. Decision rules are different for a revenue‐maximizing firm than for a profit‐maximizing one.
Welfare effects from non‐linear taxation of multiproduct monopoly
Authors: Kluger Brian D.
Published: January 2012

This paper considers the ability of a non‐linear tax to correct misallocation of resources in a monopolized market with a range of product qualities. If the monopolist pools several classes of consumers together then the quality tax will not achieve a first‐best allocation.
Portfolio selection in thinly traded environments—a case study
Authors: Barr Graham D. I. , Bradfield David J.
Published: January 2012

This paper proposes a flexible technique for selecting portfolios in an environment which includes thinly traded shares. The proposal uses the Capital Asset Pricing Model with a thinly traded beta estimator to generate the expected return input. This technique has the advantage of being applicable when the opportunity set includes well‐traded securities, as the beta estimator converges to the ordinary least squares beta for well traded shares. In addition, it allows portfolio estimation to be carried out under a range of expected market performance scenarios. An empirical study on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange over the period 1974–85 indicates that the proposed method is superior to traditional techniques.
Informational efficiency tests of quarterly macroeconometric GNP forecasts from 1976 to 1985
Authors: Joutz Frederick L.
Published: January 2012

The objective of the paper is to compare the informational efficiency of five macroeconometric and one statistical quarterly forecasting models. The results suggest that the forecasters inefficiently utilize readily available economic information. The qualitative effect for a particular information variable is the same across all forecasters exhibiting inefficiency. Further, the magnitude on coefficients of significant information variables are quite close. In particular, real GNP forecasts appear to not fully incorporate information about lagged M 1 growth and lagged changes in housing starts. Deflator forecasts can be improved by more fully specifying the degree of slackness in the economy as captured by capacity utilization and changes in the labor market.
Decision making in the multiproduct firm: Adaptability and firm organization
Authors: Haber Lawrence J. , Levy David T.
Published: January 2012

This study presents an explicit model of the choice process by which decision makers within a multiproduct firm would optimally allocate their firm‐specific inputs. The first‐order conditions of the model indicate the kind of information required for efficient transfer of these inputs. Transfer within the firm can be more efficiently accomplished than contracting over markets. Consequently, one may demonstrate the superior efficiency of the multiproduct firm over a comparable group of single‐product firms independent of any production externalities. Further, this superior efficiency results only if the central administration of the firm controls the exchange of these inputs.
An analysis of shareholder rights plans
Authors: Strong John S. , Meyer John R.
Published: January 2012

Previous studies of shareholder rights plans (poison pills) have emphasized short‐term valuation effects in the context of specific takeover attempts. This paper analyzes rights largely adopted in ‘neutral’ environments. Using a paired‐case control approach, differences between rights and non‐rights firms are examined. Positive long‐term valuation effects are associated with restructurings, while negative performance is associated with ownership/control influences. The evidence supports a multiple signalling model in which investors use subsequent information to revise probabilities concerning control preferences of management and directors.
A model for sealed‐bid auctions with independent private value and common value components
Authors: Harrison J. Richard
Published: January 2012

This paper shows how a decision‐making model can be applied to a sealed‐bid auction with both independent private value (IPV) and common value (CV) components. The model yields estimates for the winning bid and for the actual value and error components of the winning bid as functions of the number of bidders and the underlying value and error distributions, assuming that these distributions are normal. The winner's curse and the special cases of IPV and CV auctions are examined using the model.