STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Determinants of merger and acquisition activity in the food industry are analyzed using logit regression analysis. Factors affecting the food processing, food retailing and food service sectors are considered. Results indicate merger and acquisition activity in all three sectors are significantly influenced by antitrust activity, profitability and real gross domestic product.Industrial Organization,

Constraints on Pluto’s H and CH₄ profiles from New Horizons Alice Lyα observations

The Alice spectrograph on New Horizons performed several far-ultraviolet (FUV) airglow observations during the July 2015 flyby of Pluto. One of these observations, named PColor2, was a short (226 s) scan across the dayside disk of Pluto from a range of ∼34,000 km, at about 40 minutes prior to closest approach. The brightest observed FUV airglow signal at Pluto is the Lyman alpha (Lyα) emission line of atomic hydrogen, which arises primarily through the resonant scattering of solar Lyα by H atoms in the upper atmosphere, with a brightness of about 30 Rayleighs. Pluto appears dark against the much brighter (∼100 Rayleigh) sky background; this sky background is likewise the result of resonantly scattered solar Lyα, in this case by H atoms in the interplanetary medium (IPM). Here we use an updated photochemical model and a resonance line radiative transfer model to perform detailed simulations of the Lyα emissions observed in the Alice PColor2 scan. The photochemical models show that H and CH₄ abundances in Pluto’s upper atmosphere are a very strong function of the near-surface mixing ratio of CH₄, and could provide a useful way to remotely monitor seasonal climate variations in Pluto’s lower atmosphere. The morphology of the PColor2 Lyα emissions provides constraints on the current abundance profiles of H atoms and CH₄ molecules in Pluto’s atmosphere, and indicate that the globally averaged near-surface mixing ratio of CH₄ is currently close to 0.4%. This new result thus provides independent confirmation of one of the primary results from the solar occultation, also observed with the New Horizons Alice ultraviolet spectrograph

Constraints on Pluto’s H and CH₄ profiles from New Horizons Alice Lyα observations

The Alice spectrograph on New Horizons performed several far-ultraviolet (FUV) airglow observations during the July 2015 flyby of Pluto. One of these observations, named PColor2, was a short (226 s) scan across the dayside disk of Pluto from a range of ∼34,000 km, at about 40 minutes prior to closest approach. The brightest observed FUV airglow signal at Pluto is the Lyman alpha (Lyα) emission line of atomic hydrogen, which arises primarily through the resonant scattering of solar Lyα by H atoms in the upper atmosphere, with a brightness of about 30 Rayleighs. Pluto appears dark against the much brighter (∼100 Rayleigh) sky background; this sky background is likewise the result of resonantly scattered solar Lyα, in this case by H atoms in the interplanetary medium (IPM). Here we use an updated photochemical model and a resonance line radiative transfer model to perform detailed simulations of the Lyα emissions observed in the Alice PColor2 scan. The photochemical models show that H and CH₄ abundances in Pluto’s upper atmosphere are a very strong function of the near-surface mixing ratio of CH₄, and could provide a useful way to remotely monitor seasonal climate variations in Pluto’s lower atmosphere. The morphology of the PColor2 Lyα emissions provides constraints on the current abundance profiles of H atoms and CH₄ molecules in Pluto’s atmosphere, and indicate that the globally averaged near-surface mixing ratio of CH₄ is currently close to 0.4%. This new result thus provides independent confirmation of one of the primary results from the solar occultation, also observed with the New Horizons Alice ultraviolet spectrograph

Reactive hyperemia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in heart failure

© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction Impaired endothelial function, as assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), is an established risk factor for cardiovascular events. FMD is impaired in heart failure (HF) patients, but less is known about hyperemic brachial artery flow. We investigated the relationship between FMD and hyperemic flow with adverse clinical outcomes in HF patients. Methods Brachial artery FMD and hyperemic flow were assessed in 156 patients (70.5 % Male; 45.5% Caucasian; mean age (± SD) = 56.2 (±12.4) years) with HF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the potential explanatory association of FMD and hyperemic flow with the composite outcome of death or cardiovascular hospitalization over a median 5-year follow-up period. Results Both FMD and hyperemic flow were negatively correlated with age, but unrelated to sex, race, body mass index, LVEF or N-terminal pro-B-Type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP). Reduced hyperemic flow, but not FMD, was associated with an increased risk of death or cardiac hospitalization after controlling for traditional risk factors. Conclusion The association of reduced hyperemic flow with increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes suggests that micro-vascular function may be an important prognostic marker in patients with HF

Use of the Extended Fujita method for representing the molecular weight and molecular weight distributions of native and processed oat beta-glucans

Beta 1–3, 1–4 glucans (“beta-glucans”) are one of the key components of the cell wall of cereals, complementing the main structural component cellulose. Beta-glucans are also an important source of soluble fbre in foods containing oats with claims of other benefcial nutritional properties such as plasma cholesterol lowering in humans. Key to the function of beta-glucans is their molecular weight and because of their high polydispersity - molecular weight distribution. Analytical ultracentrifugation provides a matrix-free approach (not requiring separation columns or media) to polymer molecular weight distribution determination. The sedimentation coefficient distribution is converted to a molecular weight distribution via a power law relation using an established procedure known as the Extended Fujita approach. We establish and apply the power law relation and Extended Fujita method for the frst time to a series of native and processed oat beta-glucans. The application of this approach to beta-glucans from other sources is considered

Effects of Coping Skills Training on Quality of Life, Disease Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease that compromises patients’ quality of life (QoL). Interventions designed to reduce distress and improve disease self-management are needed. We evaluated the efficacy of a telephone-based coping skills training (CST) intervention

Does a perception of increased blood safety mean increased blood transfusion? An assessment of the risk compensation theory in Canada

BACKGROUND: The risk compensation theory is a widely used concept in transport economics to analyze driver risk behaviour. This article explores the feasibility of applying the theory in blood transfusion to raise important questions regarding the increased blood safety measures and their possible effects on blood usage (e.g., the appropriateness in transfusion). Further, it presents the findings of a pilot survey of physicians in Canada. DISCUSSION: While studies have attempted to define transfusion appropriateness, this article argues that if the risk compensation theory holds true for transfusion practice, physicians may actually be transfusing more. This may increase the possibility of contracting other unknown risks, such as the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), as well as increasing the risk of non-infectious transfusion risks, such as transfusion reactions. SUMMARY: A much larger study involving psychosocial assessment of physician decision making process to fully assess physician behaviour within the context of risk compensation theory and transfusion practice in Canada is needed to further explore this area

New Perspectives on Transforming States' Health and Human Services: Practical Commentaries on the First Year of the Work Support Strategies Initiative

Millions of low-income working families in America today are struggling to make ends meet. While working hard, often in low-wage jobs, many of these families are living close to the edge of hardship and have little or no resources to fall back on in case of emergencies. Public benefit programs can make a huge difference in the well-being of these working families, providing help with food, child care, and health insurance expenses. These programs help families address immediate needs and weather short-term crises, such as repairing a car needed to get to work or dealing with an unexpected health problem. They can make it possible for families to hold onto their jobs in these emergencies, stabilizing employment and keeping families from falling further into poverty. Yet many families that are eligible for public benefit programs do not participate. Although the recession and its aftermath led to unprecedented increases in receipt of nutrition assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the latest data (from 2010) show that only 65 percent of the eligible working poor are participating. Similarly, of all children eligible for public health insurance coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, only 86 percent are participating. The participation rate for public health insurance for parents is only 66 percent. And, these participation rates vary widely across states.The Work Support Strategies, or WSS, Initiative is motivated by the value public benefit programs can provide to working families and the belief that the states and localities administering these programs can improve how eligible families access and retain these benefits. In the first year of the demonstration, nine states took on the challenge of streamlining, integrating, and improving the provision of work support benefits through their SNAP, Medicaid, and child care programs (and, in some states, additional programs such as heating assistance and cash welfare). While most states hope their efforts will also reduce burden on caseworkers and administrative costs in these systems, all are motivated to improve the lives of the families they serve

Blood pressure reactivity to psychological stress is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Introduction: Cardiovascular (CV) reactivity to psychological stress has been implicated in the development and exacerbation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although high CV reactivity traditionally is thought to convey greater risk of CVD, the relationship between reactivity and clinical outcomes is inconsistent and may depend on the patient population under investigation. The present study examined CV reactivity in patients with heart failure (HF) and its potential association with long-term clinical outcomes. Methods: One hundred ninety-nine outpatients diagnosed with HF, with ejection fraction ≤40%, underwent an evaluation of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate reactivity to a laboratory-based simulated public-speaking stressor. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the prospective association between BP and heart rate reactivity on a combined end point of death or CV hospitalization over a 5-year median follow-up period. Results: Both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity, quantified as continuous variables, were inversely related to risk of death or CV hospitalization (Ps < .01) after controlling for established risk factors, including HF disease severity and etiology. In similar models, heart rate reactivity was unrelated to outcome (P = .12). In models with tertiles of reactivity, high SBP reactivity, compared with intermediate SBP reactivity, was associated with lower risk (hazard ratio [HR] = .498, 95% CI .335-.742, P =.001), whereas low SBP reactivity did not differ from intermediate reactivity. For DBP, high reactivity was marginally associated with lower risk compared with intermediate DBP reactivity (HR = .767, 95% CI .515-1.14, P =.193), whereas low DBP reactivity was associated with greater risk (HR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.027-2.155, P =.0359). No relationship of heart rate reactivity to outcome was identified. Conclusions: For HF patients with reduced ejection fraction, a robust increase in BP evoked by a laboratory-based psychological challenge was associated with lower risk for adverse CVD events and may be a novel and unique marker of left ventricular systolic reserve that is accompanied by a more favorable long-term prognosis