Hierarchical Bayes prediction for the 2008 US Presidential election

In this paper a procedure is developed to derive the predictive density function of a future observation for prediction in a multiple regression model under hierarchical priors for the vector parameter. The derived predictive density function is applied for prediction in a multiple regression model given in Fair (2002) to study the effect of fluctuations in economic variables on voting behavior in U.S. presidential election. Numerical illustrations suggest that the predictive performance of Fair’s model is good under hierarchical Bayes setup, except for the 1992 election. Fair’s model under hierarchical Bayes setup indicates that the forthcoming 2008 US presidential election is likely to be a very close election slightly tilted towards Republicans. It is likely that republicans will get 50.90% vote with probability for win 0.550 in the 2008 US Presidential Election.

COMMON ENCRYPTION/ DECRYPTION SPECIFICATION

The invention relates to using a common specification to encrypt and decrypt EMV tags. Currently, several EMV tags are not included and hence, payment gateways need to provide service based on different merchants. Hence, a common specification solves the problem of the payment gateways re-programming according to the needs to different merchants. Each merchant can program respective POS devices according to the common specification, thus reducing the complexity and burden on the payment gateways

Sensitivity of Bayes Estimates of Reliability and Reliable Life to a Non Standard Prior

Robustness of Bayes estimate of reliability function and the reliable life by employing Edgeworth-gamma class of priors for the unknown mean and precision of normal population of failure times, have been investigated. The effect of a moderately non-normal prior for Martz and Waller data has been noted to be insignificantly small

Delineation of downstream signalling components during acrosome reaction mediated by heat solubilized human zona pellucida

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human egg is enveloped by a glycoproteinaceous matrix, zona pellucida (ZP), responsible for binding of the human spermatozoa to the egg and induction of acrosomal exocytosis in the spermatozoon bound to ZP. In the present manuscript, attempts have been made to delineate the downstream signalling components employed by human ZP to induce acrosome reaction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Heat-solubilized human ZP (SIZP) was used to study the induction of acrosome reaction in capacitated human spermatozoa using tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate conjugated <it>Pisum sativum </it>agglutinin (TRITC-PSA) in absence or presence of various pharmacological inhibitors. In addition, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels in sperm using Fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester as fluorescent probe were also estimated in response to SIZP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SIZP induces acrosomal exocytosis in capacitated human sperm in a dose dependent manner accompanied by an increase in [Ca2+]i. Human SIZP mediated induction of acrosome reaction depends on extracellular Ca2+ and involves activation of Gi protein-coupled receptor, tyrosine kinase, protein kinases A & C and phosphoinositide 3 (PI3)- kinase. In addition, T-type voltage operated calcium channels and GABA-A receptor associated chloride (Cl-) channels play an important role in SIZP mediated induction of acrosome reaction.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Results described in the present study provide a comprehensive account of the various downstream signalling components associated with human ZP mediated acrosome reaction.</p

Binding characteristics of sperm with recombinant human zona pellucida glycoprotein-3 coated beads

Background &amp; objectives: An inability or decreased ability of spermatozoa to bind to the zona pellucida (ZP), an extracellular glycoproteinaceous matrix surrounding egg, is one of the plausible causes of idiopathic infertility. It will be clinically useful to distinguish this condition from other causes of infertility. An assay system, investigating binding of human sperm with ZP glycoprotein may prove useful in this regard. We attempted to develop a simple assay system to analyse the binding of capacitated human spermatozoa to human zona pellucida glycoprotein-3 (ZP3) using baculovirus-expressed recombinant human ZP3 coated beads. Methods: Recombinant baculovirus-expressed ZP3 was purified, labelled with biotin and coated on streptavidin sepharose beads. An in vitro assay system was optimized to study binding of capacitated human sperm to ZP3 coated beads. Results: A higher percentage of baculovirus-expressed recombinant human ZP3 coated beads showed significant (P&lt;0.05) binding of capacitated human sperm as compared to beads coated with fetuin. An inhibition in the binding of sperm to ZP3 coated beads was observed in presence of cold recombinant human ZP3. Further, prior incubation of ZP3 coated beads with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against ZP3 but not against ZP2 resulted in the decrease in number of sperm bound to bead. Interpretation &amp; conclusion: An in vitro assay system to study the binding of human sperm to ZP3- primary sperm receptor was established, which may be useful to determine the functional competence of spermatozoa

Study of functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty in a series of cases of hip pathologies done in rural population

Background: The objective of the study was to assess the functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) done in a series of cases of hip pathologies rural population.Methods: A retrospective randomized controlled study conducted in 50 cases of hip arthritis (38 males and 12 females)  treated with uncemented THA for an average follow-up of  2 years  at department of orthopedics MGM Medical College, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai. Harris hip scoring system was used for the functional scoring and the postoperative radiographs were assessed by Gruen zones for the femoral component and DeLee and Charnley zones for the acetabular component. All patients were evaluated pre operatively and post operatively 3 months 6 months, 12months, 2years with Harris Hip score.Results: 81% of our patients scored 85 points or better for a rating of excellent by Harris hip score system. 90% patients had little /no pain post operatively, whereas walking ability improved and was unlimited in 80% of the patients post operatively. Harris hip score improved from 40 to 80. 80.5% -excellent, 13.80% -good, 5.7% -fair results. Poor results were not seen in any patient.Conclusions: THR provided excellent pain relief, adequate stability, and remarkable range of motion in severely painful, refractory hip. A significant improvement was seen at two year follow-up.

Serum Beta HCG and uterine artery Doppler studies in second trimester to predict preeclampsia and eclampsia

Background: Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy remain amongst the most significant and intriguing unsolved problems in obstetrics. The study aims at testing the hypothesis that women with high serum beta hCG levels and alterations in waveforms in the uterine artery doppler in early second trimester have high risk of developing pre-eclampsia.Methods: Serum Beta hCG estimation was done by Sandwich chemiluminescence immunoassay method. All uterine artery waveforms were obtained using a Toshiba nemio ultrasound machine attached to a 3.5 MHz curvilinear transducer, with colour and pulsed Doppler abilities.Results: For prediction of preeclampsia or eclampsia uterine artery Doppler velocimetry alone shows specificity of 96.30%, sensitivity of 90%, positive predictive value of 94% and negative predictive value of 80%. When it is combined with serum beta HCG sensitivity and specificity are almost same, but alone serum beta HCG levels are showing sensitivity of 96% and specificity of just 76%.Conclusions: Abnormal waveforms on uterine Doppler studies are the better predictors for preeclampsia and eclampsia when done in early second trimester

Functional activity of human ZP3 primary sperm receptor resides toward its C-terminus

Zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3) has been ascribed as a putative primary sperm receptor during fertilization in humans. Herein, attempts have been made to delineate the functional domain of human ZP3. ZP3 has been cloned and expressed in a baculovirus expression system as Nterminal fragments (amino acid [aa] residues 1-175 [pAc-ZP3(1-175 aa)] and 23-175 [pBg-ZP3(23-175 aa)]) and as C-terminal fragments (aa residues 214-305 [pBg-ZP3(214-305 aa)] and 214-348 [pBg-ZP3(214-348 aa)]). ZP3 encompassing both N- and C-terminal fragments corresponding to aa residues 1-370 (pAc-ZP3[1-370 aa]) has also been expressed. Lectin-binding analysis with these recombinant proteins revealed the presence of N- and O-linked glycosylation. Significant induction of acrosomal exocytosis was observed when capacitated sperm were incubated with pBg-ZP3(214-348 aa), pBg-ZP3(214-305 aa), and pAc-ZP3(1-370 aa) (P &lt; 0.05), whereas incubation with pAc-ZP3(1-175 aa) and pBg-ZP3(23-175 aa) failed to do so under similar experimental conditions. However, N- and C-terminal fragments labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate revealed binding to the anterior head of capacitated human spermatozoa. Escherichia coli-expressed ZP3 C-terminal fragments and chemically deglycosylated pBg-ZP3(214-348 aa) failed to induce a significant (P &lt; 0.05) increase in acrosomal exocytosis, suggesting the relevance of glycosylation in imparting functional activity to ZP3 C-terminal fragments. pBg-ZP3(214-348 aa)-mediated induction of acrosomal exocytosis is regulated by Gi protein, extracellular calcium, GABA(A) [gamma aminobutyric acid (A)] receptor-mediated Cl- channel, and T-type voltage-operated calcium channels. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that the functional activity of human ZP3 resides in its C-terminal domain

Interrelationship between taxes, capital structure decisions and value of the firm: A panel data study on Indian manufacturing firms

Since the development of efficient proxies for taxes, many researchers have proved the existence of impact of tax on financing decisions. The ultimate aim of each business decision is to enhance the value of the firm; hence it is important to study the tax implications of financing decisions on the firm’s value. In this study an attempt is made to study the interrelationship between taxes, financing decisions and value of the firm. A panel data of 188 Indian manufacturing firms over a period from 1990 to 2013 is employed to assess the relationship. Unlike the results of Fama and French (1998), the analyses undertaken in this study is able to capture the tax effects of debt. It shows clearly that companies consider partial consequences of employing debt and justify the higher use of debt. This study brings forth the empirical evidence that the personal tax implications flowing through financing decisions contribute towards forming perceptions of the investors and thus may affect the firm value in the opposite direction

Capital structure puzzle: the interrelationship between leverage, taxes and other micro economic factors

The capital structure puzzle still remains unsolved. Every year there are many incidences of firms, reporting very high and risky levels of debt ratios. Since debt has tax advantages over other sources of capital, this paper employs simulated marginal tax rate (MTR) and its variants to study the tax effects on leverage ratios of profitable Indian companies. The paper analyses three different measures of leverage; debt to asset (DAR) ratio, incremental debt to total assets ratio (DINC) and debt to capital employed (DAR1) ratio. For each measure of leverage ratio, different specifications based on four variants of MTR have been considered. The results confirm significant tax effects on debt ratios of profitable Indian companies. It was found that DINC is highly autoregressive and independent variables considered in this paper explain around 55% of the variation in DAR1. The study suggests a new measure of retained earnings (ERTA)