Study on the thermal transition of collagen model peptides in solution

this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Chemical Physics Letters. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Chemical Physics Letters, [VOL247, ISSUE3, (1995-12-22)] DOI:10.1016/0009-2614(95)01211-5this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Chemical Physics Letters. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Chemical Physics Letters, [VOL264, ISSUE1-2, (1997-01-03)] DOI :10.1016/S0009-2614(96)01290-0this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Chemical Physics Letters. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Chemical Physics Letters, [VOL281, ISSUE1-3, (1997-12-19)] DOI:10.1016/S0009-2614(97)01211-6this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Chemical Physics Letters. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Chemical Physics Letters, [VOL281, ISSUE1-3, (1997-12-19)] DOI:10.1016/S0009-2614(97)01212-8This is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in European Journal of Biochemistry. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms, may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in European Journal of Biochemistry, VOLUME 257, ISSUE 2, 1998-10-15, DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.1998.2570331.

Financial Competitiveness of Macau in Comparison with Other Gaming Destinations

This paper analyzes the financial competitiveness of the Macau gaming industry visa- vis its counterparts in North America and Europe. The analysis covers casino product structure, revenue composition, assets productivity and financial returns of Macau versus those of gaming destinations in North America and Europe. The findings reveal that while Macau is advantageously positioned in terms of assets productivity and financial returns, its casino product structure and revenue composition seem at odds with today\u27s gaming trend. Macau is facing challenges from emerging competitors in Asia. To maintain a stable gaming revenue growth and retain its competitiveness, Macau must modify its casino product structure and revenue composition. Pursuing a more diversified market is a critical step towards the goal

Consumer Willingness-To-Pay for Different Organic Certification Logos in Turkey

Using data from focus group discussions with consumers and a choice experimentconducted in some of Turkey’s major cities, this study investigates whetherTurkish consumers prefer certain organic labelling schemes over others attemptsand to elicit their willingness to pay (WTP) for different organic certificationlogos. Although the level of awareness regarding organic certification logos waslow, consumers’ perceptions of the logos were generally positive. The results ofthe random parameter logit models indicated a positive WTP for the presence ofone of the three tested certification body logos in addition to the mandatorygovernmental logo. Given the low level of certification logo awareness, theconclusion is that both purchasing decisions and perceptions regarding logoswere affected by subjective criteria. Both the government and certification bodiesshould develop measures to increase consumer awareness of their logos and formconsumer perceptions and attitudes regarding the quality of the certificationimplied by the logo

The 2011 European short sale ban on financial stocks: a cure or a curse? : [version 31 july 2013]

Did the August 2011 European short sale bans on financial stocks accomplish their goals? In order to answer this question, we use stock options’ implied volatility skews to proxy for investors’ risk aversion. We find that on ban announcement day, risk aversion levels rose for all stocks but more so for the banned financial stocks. The banned stocks’ volatility skews remained elevated during the ban but dropped for the other unbanned stocks. We show that it is the imposition of the ban itself that led to the increase in risk aversion rather than other causes such as information flow, options trading volumes, or stock specific factors. Substitution effects were minimal, as banned stocks’ put trading volumes and put-call ratios declined during the ban. We argue that although the ban succeeded in curbing further selling pressure on financial stocks by redirecting trading activity towards index options, this result came at the cost of increased risk aversion and some degree of market failure

Does managing a SRI fund cost more? Evidence from the European financial market

open2Our aim is to provide evidence regarding managing costs differences comparing Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) funds with traditional ones, if any, and if these are influenced by the ethical rating of the fund. The methodology is based on a multiple linear regression model in a matched-pair sample of 309 European SRI and non-SRI funds managed by the same managing company and a comprehensive sample of 558 European SRI funds. Our main findings are on size, country, asset class, and ethical rating. Yet, the higher the ethical rating, the lower the TER, especially at the highest level of rating. If investors actively select higher ethically rated SRI funds, he or she will benefit from a lower cost charged by specialised asset managers. In investing in 'good', choose the best!openArrigoni, Stefania; Lanzavecchia, AlbertoArrigoni, Stefania; Lanzavecchia, Albert

An overview of recent research results and future research avenues using simulation studies in project management

This paper gives an overview of three simulation studies in dynamic project scheduling integrating baseline scheduling with risk analysis and project control. This integration is known in the literature as dynamic scheduling. An integrated project control method is presented using a project control simulation approach that combines the three topics into a single decision support system. The method makes use of Monte Carlo simulations and connects schedule risk analysis (SRA) with earned value management (EVM). A corrective action mechanism is added to the simulation model to measure the efficiency of two alternative project control methods. At the end of the paper, a summary of recent and state-of-the-art results is given, and directions for future research based on a new research study are presented

Bronchial Circulation Angiogenesis in the Rat Quantified with SPECT and Micro-CT

Introduction As pulmonary artery obstruction results in proliferation of the bronchial circulation in a variety of species, we investigated this angiogenic response using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and micro-CT. Materials and methods After surgical ligation of the left pulmonary artery of rats, they were imaged at 10, 20, or 40 days post-ligation. Before imaging, technetium-labeled macroaggregated albumin (99mTc MAA) was injected into the aortic arch (IA) labeling the systemic circulation. SPECT/micro-CT imaging was performed, the image volumes were registered, and activity in the left lung via the bronchial circulation was used as a marker of bronchial blood flow. To calibrate and to verify successful ligation, 99mTc MAA was subsequently injected into the left femoral vein (IV), resulting in accumulation within the pulmonary circulation. The rats were reimaged, and the ratio of the IA to the IV measurements reflected the fraction of cardiac output (CO) to the left lung via the bronchial circulation. Control and sham-operated rats were studied similarly. Results The left lung bronchial circulation of the control group was 2.5% of CO. The sham-operated rats showed no significant difference from the control. However, 20 and 40 days post-ligation, the bronchial circulation blood flow had increased to 7.9 and 13.9%, respectively, of CO. Excised lungs examined after barium filling of the systemic vasculature confirmed neovascularization as evidenced by tortuous vessels arising from the mediastinum and bronchial circulation. Conclusion Thus, we conclude that SPECT/micro-CT imaging is a valuable methodology for monitoring angiogenesis in the lung and, potentially, for evaluating the effects of pro- or anti-angiogenic treatments using a similar approach

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has recently emerged as a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Contrary to initial beliefs, HFpEF is now known to be as common as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and carries an unacceptably high mortality rate. With a prevalence that has been steadily rising over the past two decades, it is very likely that HFpEF will represent the dominant heart failure phenotype over the coming few years. The scarcity of trials in this semi-discrete form of heart failure and lack of unified enrolment criteria in the studies conducted to date might have contributed to the current absence of specific therapies. Understanding the epidemiological, pathophysiological and molecular differences (and similarities) between these two forms of heart failure is cornerstone to the development of targeted therapies. Carefully designed studies that adhere to unified diagnostic criteria with the recruitment of appropriate controls and adoption of practical end-points are urgently needed to help identify effective treatment strategies

Свідомий контроль у мовленнєвій патології та мовленнєвій реабілітації після інсульту

The article presents results of the research conducted in speech rehabilitation period of patients after stroke. The study aims to identify conscious control in speech rehabilitation period of the patients who were diagnosed to have Broca’s aphasia. A sample of 22 patients with Broca’s aphasia, or efferent motor aphasia (Luria, 2004) in the left hemisphere, who stayed at the Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital (Lutsk, Ukraine) during rehabilitation period, was approached through purposeful sampling method for this research. The non-laboratory measure of speech assessment was administered along with demographic data. Results showed that conscious control that usually remains in this group of people plays a crucial role in psychological intervention. The article also discusses the main neuropsycholinguistic principles that help to utilize the potential of conscious control in the process of speech rehabilitation of the patients after strokeСтаттю присвячено результатам мовленнєвої реабілітації пацієнтів після інсульту. Дослідження мало за мету встановити аспекти свідомого контролю під час мовленнєвої реабілітації осіб із афазією Брока, або моторної еферентної афазії (Лурія, 2004), лівої півкулі. Вибірку склали 22 пацієнти Волинської обласної клінічної лікарні в Луцьку (Україна) упродовж реабілітаційного періоду. Дослідження здійснено на основі методів цільового формування вибірки, а також застосування неапаратурного методу оцінки мовлення разом із демографічними даними. Результати засвідчили, що свідомий контроль у цієї групи осіб відіграє ключову роль під час психологічної інтервенції. Крім того, автори обговорюють головні нейропсихолінгвістичні принципи, що сприяють вико-ристанню потенціалу свідомого контролю в процесі мовленнєвої реабілітації пацієнтів після інсульт