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,

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

Ex Perimental Study on Water Absorption of Coal Under Different Pressure Source Conditions

AbstractIn order to study the effect of pressure on the water absorption capability of coal, the water injection experiments of two coal samples were done under different pressure source conditions and room temperature by using self-designed pressurized water device. The experimental results show that pressure has a positive effect on water absorbability; water absorbability gets large as the pressure increases; the earlier water absorbability of coal is rapid, and the water absorbability of coal displays a similar Langmuir-isothermal adsorption curve with the changes of time, and it has saturated water absorbability. The water injection pressure is higher, which not only strengthened the ability of expanding seepage space, but also developed the transporting water and storage water space. The later water absorption curve of coal becomes weaker, and water adsorption process is mainly influenced by capillary force. The pressure water only supplies provisions and time is the main influential factor

FACTORS AFFECTING THE FERTILIZATION SUCCESS IN LABORATORY HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN HALIOTIS DISCUS HANNAI AND HALIOTIS GIGANTEA

In this study, effects of sperm concentration and gamete age on fertilization success of Haliotis discus hannai (D) X H. gigantea (G) were investigated. Results showed that the fertilization rates of heterologous crosses H. discus hannai female x H. gigantea male (DG) and H. gigantec female X H. discus hannai male (GD) were consistently lower than those of homospecific groups H. discus hannai female x H. discus hannai male (DD) and H. gigame female X H. gigantea male (GG). In sperm concentration experiments, the sperm concentrations that yielded maximum fertilization rates with the least abnormality in subsequent development were 4.66 X 10(7) sperm/mL for the DG cross and 2.6 x 10(7) sperm/mL for the reciprocal cross GD. In gamete age experiments, the optimal fertilization rates were achieved in heterologous crosses when freshly spawned ova were fertilized with sperm that were released within 0.5 h. Furthermore, in heterospecific crosses, when ova were fertilized 10 min after being spawned, fertilization rates declined significantly with increasing ova age. It is suggested to use fresh gametes and higher sperm concentrations for hybridization between H. discus hannai and H. gigantea

GENETIC CORRELATIONS TO MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF SMALL ABALONE HALIOTIS DIVERSICOLOR

A total of 241 samples of small abalone (Nation's diversicolor) from 8 full-sib families of market size were used in this experiment. Shell length (X-1), shell width (X-2), shell height (X-3), apex height (X-4), body weight (Y-1), muscle weight (Y-2), and shell weight (Y-3) were measured, and the correlation coefficient matrix was calculated. The shell shape traits were used as independent variables, then body weight and muscle weight were used as dependent variable for path analysis. Path coefficients, determination coefficients, and correlation index were calculated. The results showed that correlation coefficients between each shell shape trait and body weight, muscle weight, and shell weight were all significant (P < 0.01). For the 4 shell morphological traits, body weight (Y-1) had the highest correlation coefficient with shell length (X-1), and muscle weight (Y-2) had the highest correlation coefficient with shell width (X-2). The results of high correlation index would be useful for selecting important growth-related traits in genetic breeding program of small abalone

Dynamic Effects of Early Adolescent Stress on Depressive-Like Behaviors and Expression of Cytokines and JMJD3 in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Rats

Aims: Expression of inflammatory cytokines in the brain has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of and susceptibility to depression. Jumonji domain-containing 3 (Jmjd3), which is a histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylase and can regulate microglial activation, has been regarded as a crucial element in the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, recent studies highlighted the fact that lipopolysaccharides induce depressive-like behaviors and higher Jmjd3 expression and lower H3K27me3 expression in the brain. However, whether the process of Jmjd3 mediating inflammatory cytokines was involved in the susceptibility to depression due to early-life stress remained elusive.Methods: Rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in adolescence were used in order to detect dynamic alterations in depressive-like behaviors and expression of cytokines, Jmjd3, and H3K27me3 in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, minocycline, an inhibitor of microglial activation, was employed to observe the protective effects.Results: Our results showed that CUMS during the adolescent period induced depressive-like behaviors, over-expression of cytokines, and increased Jmjd3 and decreased H3K27me3 expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of both adolescent and adult rats. However, minocycline relieved all the alterations.Conclusion: The study revealed that Jmjd3 might be involved in the susceptibility to depressive-like behaviors by modulating H3K27me3 and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats that had been stressed during early adolescence