Interpreting the Hours-Technology time-varying relationship

We investigate the time varying relation between hours and technology shocks using a structural business cycle model. We propose an RBC model with a Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) production function that allows for capital- and labor-augmenting technology shocks. We estimate the model with Bayesian techniques. In the full sample, we find (i) evidence in favor of a less than unitary elasticity of substitution (rejecting Cobb-Douglas) and (ii) a sizable role for capital augmenting shock for business cycles fluctuations. In rolling sub-samples, we document that the transmission of technology shocks to hours worked has been varying over time. We argue that this change is due to the increase of the elasticity of factor substitution. That is, labor and capital became less complementary throughout the sample inducing a change in the sign and size of the response of hours. We conjecture that this change may have been induced by a change in the skill composition of the labor input.Hours Worked and Business Cycles, Bayesian Methods.

Particle Number Fluctuations in Statistical Model with Exact Charge Conservation Laws

Even though the first momenta i.e. the ensemble average quantities in canonical ensemble (CE) give the grand canonical (GC) results in large multiplicity limit, the fluctuations involving second moments do not respect this asymptotic behaviour. Instead, the asymptotics are strikingly different, giving a new handle in study of statistical particle number fluctuations in relativistic nuclear reactions. Here we study the analytical large volume asymptotics to general case of multispecies hadron gas carrying fixed baryon number, strangeness and electric charge. By means of Monte Carlo simulations we have also studied the general multiplicity probability distributions taking into account the decay chains of resonance states.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. The report of the talk given in Strangeness in Quark Matter 2004, Cape Town. Submitted to J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phy

Investigating The Physics Case of Running a B-Factory at the Y(5S) Resonance

We discuss the physics case of a high luminosity B-Factory running at the Y(5S) resonance. We show that the coherence of the B meson pairs is preserved at this resonance, and that Bs can be well distinguished from Bd and charged B mesons. These facts allow to cover the physics program of a traditional B-Factory and, at the same time, to perform complementary measurements which are not accessible at the Y(4S). In particular we show how, despite the experimental limitations in performing time-dependent measurements of Bs decays, the same experimental information can be extracted, in several cases, from the determination of time-integrated observables. In addition, a few examples of the potentiality in measuring rare Bs decays are given. Finally, we discuss how the study of Bs meson will improve the constraints on New Physics parameters in the Bs sector, in the context of the generalized Unitarity Triangle analysis.Comment: 47 pages, 22 figure

Dispersion-dissipation analysis of 3D continuous and discontinuous spectral element methods for the elastodynamics equation

In this paper we present a three dimensional dispersion and dissipation analysis for both the semi discrete and the fully discrete approximation of the elastodynamics equation based on the plane wave method. For space discretization we compare different approximation strategies, namely the continuous and the discontinuous spectral element method on both tetrahedral and hexahedral elements. For time discretization we employ a leapfrog time integration scheme. Several numerical results are presented and discussed

Platelet activation in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The abnormal metabolic state that accompanies diabetes renders arteries susceptible to atherosclerosis, being capable of altering the functional properties of multiple cell types, including endothelium and platelets. In particular, an altered platelet metabolism and changes in intraplatelet signaling pathways may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic complications of diabetes. A variety of mechanisms may be responsible for enhanced platelet aggregation. Among them, hyperglycemia may represent a causal factor for in vivo platelet activation, and may be responsible for nonenzymatic glycation of platelet glycoproteins, causing changes in their structure and conformation, as well as alterations of membrane lipid dynamics. Furthermore, hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress is responsible for enhanced peroxidation of arachidonic acid to form biologically active isoprostanes, which represents an important biochemical link between impaired glycemic control and persistent platelet activation. Finally, increased oxidative stress is responsible for activation of transcription factors and expression of redox-sensitive genes leading to a phenotypic switch of endothelium toward an adhesive, prothrombotic condition, initial platelet activation, adhesion and subsequent platelet aggregate formation. All this evidence is strengthened by the results of clinical trials documenting the beneficial effects of metabolic control on platelet function, and by the finding that aspirin treatment may even be more beneficial in diabetic than in high-risk non-diabetic patients. Attention to appropriate medical management of diabetic patients will have great impact on long-term outcome in this high-risk population. © 2004 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis

The regulation of exosome function in the CNS: implications for neurodegeneration

Exosomes are nanovesicles that have been shown to regulate neuronal development and regeneration, and modulate synaptic function

The dynamics of hours worked and technology

We study the relationship between hours worked and technology during the postwar period in the US. We show that the responses of hours to technological improvements have increased over time, and that the patterns captured by the SVAR are consistent with those obtained from an RBC model with a less than unitary elasticity of substitution between capital and labor. Data supports the hypothesis that the observed changes in the response of hours to a technology shock are attributable to changes in the magnitude of the degree of capital-labor substitution ..En este artículo estudiamos la relación entre horas trabajadas y progreso técnico durante el período de postguerra en los Estados Unidos. Mostramos que la respuesta de las horas a mejoras tecnológicas ha aumentado a lo largo del tiempo y que los patrones capturados por un modelo SVAR son coherentes con los obtenidos por un modelo de ciclos reales con una elasticidad de sustitución entre capital y trabajo menor que 1. Los datos apoyan la hipótesis de que el cambio observado en la respuesta de las horas a mejoras tecnológicas es debido a cambios en la magnitud de la elasticidad de sustitución $\sigma$. Nuestro argumento es que la variación de $\sigma$ puede haber surgido por cambios en la composición estructural de los sectores de actividad económica o, de modo equivalente, la composición de los factores de producción en una función de producción con inputs heterogéneos, o bien por sesgos en la dirección del cambio técnic

Direct inhibition of the pacemaker (I-f) current in rabbit sinoatrial node cells by genistein

1 Genistein is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor which interferes with the activity of several ionic channels either by altering modulatory phosphorylating processes or by direct binding. In whole-cell conditions, genistein induces a partial inhibition of the pacemaker (If) current recorded in cardiac sinoatrial and ventricular myocytes. 2 We investigated the mechanism of action of genistein (50 mM) on the If current in whole-cell, cellattached, and inside-out configurations, and the measured fractional inhibitions were similar: 26.6, 27.2, and 33.6%, respectively. 3 When ATP was removed from the whole-cell pipette solution no differences were revealed in the effect of the drug when compared to metabolically active cells. Genistein fully maintained its blocking ability even when herbimycin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was added to the whole-cell ATP-free pipette solution. 4 Genistein-induced block was independent of the gating state of the channel and did not display voltage or current dependence; this independence distinguishes genistein from all other f-channel blockers. 5 When inside-out experiments were performed to test for a direct interaction with the channel, genistein, superfused on the intracellular side of the membrane, decreased the maximal If conductance, and slightly shifted the current\u2013activation curve to the left. Furthermore, the effect of genistein was independent of cAMP modulation. 6 We conclude that, in addition to its tyrosine kinase-inhibitory properties, genistein also blocks If by directly interacting with the channel, and thus cannot be considered a valuable pharmacological tool to investigate phosphorylation-dependent modulatory pathways of the If current and of cardiac rhythm

Graphene-based nanomaterials for tissue engineering in the dental field

The world of dentistry is approaching graphene-based nanomaterials as substitutes for tissue engineering. Apart from its exceptional mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and thermal stability, graphene and its derivatives can be functionalized with several bioactive molecules. They can also be incorporated into different scaffolds used in regenerative dentistry, generating nanocomposites with improved characteristics. This review presents the state of the art of graphene-based nanomaterial applications in the dental field. We first discuss the interactions between cells and graphene, summarizing the available in vitro and in vivo studies concerning graphene biocompatibility and cytotoxicity. We then highlight the role of graphene-based nanomaterials in stem cell control, in terms of adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Particular attention will be given to stem cells of dental origin, such as those isolated from dental pulp, periodontal ligament or dental follicle. The review then discusses the interactions between graphene-based nanomaterials with cells of the immune system; we also focus on the antibacterial activity of graphene nanomaterials. In the last section, we offer our perspectives on the various opportunities facing the use of graphene and its derivatives in associations with titanium dental implants, membranes for bone regeneration, resins, cements and adhesives as well as for tooth-whitening procedure