Fear of Overbuilding in the Office Sector: How Real is the Risk and Can We Predict It?

After a prolonged hiatus following the boom of the 1980s, the pace of office construction has begun to increase, raising the specter of overbuilding in several metropolitan areas (MSAs). Research has shown that commercial property markets are prone to overbuilding, however, there is a dearth of research on construction cycles at the MSA level. This article examines three techniques that can be used to examine the probability of overbuilding within the office sector. Based on quarterly data from 1977-1997, this research concludes that both base employment and the Space Market Index provide the most practical methods for assessing the risk of overbuilding. There is considerable variation across MSAs in terms of the risk of overbuilding. This has important implications for real estate investors from a tactical asset allocation viewpoint.

Primer registro basado en código de barras de ADN de Lysiosquilla maculata (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) de la costa de Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

The taxonomic identification of mantis shrimp Lysiosquilla maculata was performed through DNA barcoding analysis of specimens collected from the Kasimedu fishing port, Chennai coast, Tamil Nadu, India. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene with a region of 650 bp was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. In the present record, mitochondrial gene sequences were used to identify the mantis shrimp. This is the first confirmed DNA barcoding record from Indian waters, whose mtCOI sequence was deposited in GenBank. The Neighbor-joining method was used for phylogenetic analysis. The calculated pairwise genetic distance with five closely related species ranged from 0.01 to 0.094%. The morphological and molecular analysis confirm that the specimens collected correspond to L. maculata.La identificación taxonómica del camarón mantis Lysiosquilla maculata se realizó mediante análisis de códigos de barras de ADN de especímenes recolectados en el puerto pesquero de Kasimedu, costa de Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Se secuenció el gen de la subunidad I de la citocromo oxidasa mitocondrial (mtCOI) con una región de 650 pb para análisis filogenético. En el presente registro, se utilizaron secuencias de genes mitocondriales para identificar el camarón mantis. Este es el primer registro confirmado de códigos de barras de ADN en aguas indias, cuya secuencia de mtCOI se depositó en el GenBank. Se utilizó el método Neighbor-joining para el análisis filogenético. La distancia genética por pares calculada con cinco especies estrechamente relacionadas osciló entre 0,01 y 0,094%. Los análisis morfológicos y moleculares confirman que los ejemplares colectados corresponden a L. maculata

The sensory amphidial structures of Caenorhabditis elegans are involved in macrocyclic lactone uptake and anthelmintic resistance

Parasitic nematodes represent formidable pathogens of humans, livestock and crop plants. Control of these parasites is almost exclusively dependent on a small group of anthelmintics, the most important of which belong to the macrocyclic lactone class. The extensive use of these drugs to control the ubiquitous trichostrongylid parasites of grazing livestock has resulted in the emergence of both single and multi-drug resistance. The expectation is that this resistance will eventually occur in the human parasites such as the common and debilitating soil transmitted nematodes and vector-borne filarial nematodes. While the modes of action of anthelmintics such as ivermectin (IVM), have been elucidated, notably in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the molecular nature of this resistance remains to be fully determined. Here we show that the anterior amphids play a key role in IVM uptake and mutations in these sensory structures result in IVM resistance in C. elegans. Random genetic mutant screens, detailed analysis of existing amphid mutants and lipophilic dye uptake indicate that the non-motile ciliated amphid neurons are a major route of IVM ingress; the majority of the mutants characterized in this study are predicted to be involved in intraflagellar transport. In addition to a role in IVM resistance, a subset of the amphid mutants are resistant to the non-related benzimidazole class of anthelmintics, raising the potential link to a multi-drug resistance mechanism. The amphid structures are present in all nematodes and are clearly defined in a drug-sensitive strain of Haemonchus contortus. It is predicted that amphidial drug uptake and intraflagellar transport may prove to be of significance in the development of single and multi-drug resistance in the nematode pathogens of veterinary and human importance

The astacin metalloprotease moulting enzyme NAS-36 is required for normal cuticle ecdysis in free-living and parasitic nematodes

Nematodes represent one of the most abundant and species-rich groups of animals on the planet, with parasitic species causing chronic, debilitating infections in both livestock and humans worldwide. The prevalence and success of the nematodes is a direct consequence of the exceptionally protective properties of their cuticle. The synthesis of this cuticle is a complex multi-step process, which is repeated 4 times from hatchling to adult and has been investigated in detail in the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. This process is known as moulting and involves numerous enzymes in the synthesis and degradation of the collagenous matrix. The nas-36 and nas-37 genes in C. elegans encode functionally conserved enzymes of the astacin metalloprotease family which, when mutated, result in a phenotype associated with the late-stage moulting defects, namely the inability to remove the preceding cuticle. Extensive genome searches in the gastrointestinal nematode of sheep, Haemonchus contortus, and in the filarial nematode of humans, Brugia malayi, identified NAS-36 but not NAS-37 homologues. Significantly, the nas-36 gene from B. malayi could successfully complement the moult defects associated with C. elegans nas-36, nas-37 and nas-36/nas-37 double mutants, suggesting a conserved function for NAS-36 between these diverse nematode species. This conservation between species was further indicated when the recombinant enzymes demonstrated a similar range of inhibitable metalloprotease activities

Seroprevalence of ToRCH Pathogens in Southeast Asia

ToRCH is the acronym for several pathogens associated with pregnancy complications and sequelae in the unborn or newborn child. Particularly primary infections during pregnancy are associated with increased risk. Seroprevalence data of ToRCH infections are important, especially in countries with weak disease surveillance systems, to estimate immunity and vaccination levels, as well as exposure rates and thus the risk of infection during pregnancy. A systematic literature search spanning a 30-year time period was conducted to identify serosurveys on ToRCH pathogens in Southeast Asia. The 96 identified studies showed that some pathogens were well studied, while only limited data were available for others. Studies from the better-developed countries of the region were more abundant. Moreover, seroprevalence data were often limited to a certain geographical region within the country or to certain cohorts, there was an evident lack of recent serosurveys, and the study quality was often not adequate. Well-designed and area-wide serosurveys of ToRCH pathogens are clearly warranted. If combined with risk factor analysis, these studies may guide the development and implementation of effective measures for infection prevention, especially during pregnancy. In addition, educational programs for health care workers and for pregnant women during antenatal care are urgently needed

Design and fabrication of a water electrolysis unit for an integrated life support system Final report, 6 Aug. 1966 - 31 May 1968

Water electrolysis unit design and development for integrated life support system oxygen productio