Estimating the Potential Gains from Mergers

We introduce simple production economic models to estimate the potential gains from mergers. We decompose the gains into technical efficiency, size (scale) and harmony (mix) gains, and we discuss alternative ways to capture these gains. We propose to approximate the production processes using the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach, and we use the resulting operational approach to estimate the potential gains from merging agricultural extension offices in Denmark. Contents: 1. Introduction, 2. Literature, 3. Production Models, 4. Measures of Merger Gains, 5. Decomposing Merger Gains, 6. Alternative Decompositions, 7. The Danish Agricultural Extension Services, 8. Final Remarks, References. Key Words: Data Envelopment Analysis, management, organization, mergersData Envelopment Analysis, management, organization, mergers, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Estimating the Potential Gains from Mergers: The Danish Agricultural Extension Services

We introduce simple non-parametric models to estimate the potential gains from merging production units. Three effects are distinguished. A merger may affect technical efficiency. It also affects the size of the operation which may or may not be advantageous depending on the return to scale properties of the underlying technologies. Lastly, it affects the mix of inputs available and the mix of outputs demanded. A merged unit face more "balanced" or "harmonic" input and output profiles which is typically advantageous. We use the model to estimate the potential gains from merging agricultural extension offices in Denmark.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

An Automatic Quantitative Image Analysis System for Construction Materials

An image analysis software system has been developed for a UNIX operating system and a Tektronix terminal. It is designed for the particles and/or pores in construction materials. This system provides a means to measure many discrete fields of view, in order to obtain statistically meaningful results. The system can process images from either an electron or light microscope, or from an ordinary camera. Either negatives or positives can be used. A new method based on fuzzy probability has been developed to segment digital images into binary images. It is more consistent than existing techniques. The system uses object labeling. This makes spot filling, noise filtering, separation of touching objects, object counting and measurement of individual objects easier. The accuracy of the system has been verified with images having known geometric properties. Measurements have an error of less than 1% with an image of appropriate resolution. The system makes different measurements on separate particles and cut planes through massive samples. In the former case, the measurements are: the perimeters, areas, and maximum chords of particles in orthogonal directions, the maximum, minimum and mean values of these parameters, and their distributions. Also, the area of the image, the area faction of particles and the number of particles are measured. In the case of the cut planes, the estimated parameters are: volume fraction of particles, surface area per unit bulk volume, and surface area per unit particle volume. The size distribution, total number of particles and mean diameter can also be estimated. A new method based on computer simulation has been developed to estimate size distribution of particles of any modelable shape. Older methods have a tendency to give too large a number of small particles, and the new method does not

Thiamine Deficiency and Neurodegeneration: The Interplay Among Oxidative Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Autophagy

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential nutrient and indispensable for normal growth and development of the organism due to its multilateral participation in key biochemical and physiological processes. Humans must obtain thiamine from their diet since it is synthesized only in bacteria, fungi, and plants. Thiamine deficiency (TD) can result from inadequate intake, increased requirement, excessive deletion, and chronic alcohol consumption. TD affects multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular, muscular, gastrointestinal, and central and peripheral nervous systems. In the brain, TD causes a cascade of events including mild impairment of oxidative metabolism, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, which are commonly observed in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). Thiamine metabolites may serve as promising biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, and thiamine supplementations exhibit therapeutic potential for patients of some neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental TD has been used to model aging-related neurodegenerative diseases. However, to date, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TD-induced neurodegeneration are not clear. Recent research evidence indicates that TD causes oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and autophagy in the brain, which are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of oxidative stress, ER stress, and autophagy in TD-mediated neurodegeneration. We propose that it is the interplay of oxidative stress, ER stress, and autophagy that contributes to TD-mediated neurodegeneration

MiR-379 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma by targeting Y-box binding protein 1

Purpose: To determine the effect of miR-379 in multiple myeloma.Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the expression of miR-379 in multiple myeloma cells. The effect of miR-379 on multiple myeloma progression was investigated by cell counting, bromodeoxyuridine staining, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. A potential target for miR-379 was determined using a luciferase reporter assay.Results: MiR-379 expression was reduced in multiple myeloma cells, while over-expression of miR-379 increased both cell viability and proliferation of these cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, miR-379 blocked cell cycle multiple myeloma cells and promoted apoptosis by decreasing Bcl-2 expression, and increasing the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax. MiR-379 bound to Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) and reduced YBX1 mRNA and protein expression in multiple myeloma cells (p < 0.05).Conclusion: A YBX1-mediated tumor-suppressive role for miR-379 in multiple myeloma cells has been identified, suggesting a potential strategy for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Keywords: MiR-379, Y-box binding protein 1, Multiple myeloma, Proliferation, Apoptosi

Electrolytic Corrosion Resistant Plating for Connector Pins

This disclosure describes an electroplating configuration that is resistant to electrolytic corrosion. The configuration is a stack-up of different layers that include copper (Cu) layer surrounding the substrate, a nickel (Ni) layer, and a nickel-tungsten (NiW) layer. The configuration additionally includes a gold (Au) layer utilized as an interface layer between the NiW layer and an outer rhodium-ruthenium (RhRu) layer. To impart electrolytic corrosion resistance, a rhodium-ruthenium (RhRu) layer is electroplated as an outer layer. The electroplating stack-up described in this disclosure has significantly improved anti-electrochemical corrosion capability than prior techniques

A Simple Approach to Sample Size Calculation for Count Data in Matched Cohort Studies

In matched cohort studies exposed and unexposed individuals are matched on certain characteristics to form clusters to reduce potential confounding effects. Data in these studies are clustered and thus dependent due to matching. When the outcome is a Poisson count, specialized methods have been proposed for sample size estimation. However, in practice the variance of the counts often exceeds the mean (i.e. counts are overdispersed), so that Poisson methods don't apply. We propose a simple approach for calculating statistical power and sample size for clustered Poisson data when the proportion of exposed subjects in a cluster is constant across clusters. We extend the approach to clustered count data with overdispersion, which is common in practice. We evaluate these approaches with simulation studies and apply them to a matched cohort study examining the association of parental depression with health care utilization. Simulation results show that the methods for estimating power and sample size performed reasonably well under the scenarios examined and were robust in the presence of mixed exposure proportions up to 30%