Surfactant protein D contributes to ocular defense against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine model of dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease can cause ocular surface inflammation that disrupts the corneal epithelial barrier. While dry eye patients are known to have an increased risk of corneal infection, it is not known whether there is a direct causal relationship between these two conditions. Here, we tested the hypothesis that experimentally-induced dry eye (EDE) increases susceptibility to corneal infection using a mouse model. In doing so, we also examined the role of surfactant protein D (SP-D), which we have previously shown is involved in corneal defense against infection. Scopolamine injections and fan-driven air were used to cause EDE in C57BL/6 or Black Swiss mice (wild-type and SP-D gene-knockout). Controls received PBS injections and were housed normally. After 5 or 10 days, otherwise uninjured corneas were inoculated with 10(9) cfu of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1. Anesthesia was maintained for 3 h post-inoculation. Viable bacteria were quantified in ocular surface washes and corneal homogenates 6 h post-inoculation. SP-D was measured by Western immunoblot, and corneal pathology assessed from 6 h to 4 days. EDE mice showed reduced tear volumes after 5 and 10 days (each by ∼75%, p<0.001) and showed fluorescein staining (i.e. epithelial disruption). Surprisingly, there was no significant difference in corneal pathology between EDE mice and controls (∼10-14% incidence). Before bacterial inoculation, EDE mice showed elevated SP-D in ocular washes. After inoculation, fewer bacteria were recovered from ocular washes of EDE mice (<2% of controls, p = 0.0004). Furthermore, SP-D knockout mice showed a significant increase in P. aeruginosa corneal colonization under EDE conditions. Taken together, these data suggest that SP-D contributes to corneal defense against P. aeruginosa colonization and infection in EDE despite the loss of barrier function to fluorescein

Auswirkungen des Basel II Akkords auf österreichisches KMU

The paper discusses the impact of the Basel II Accord on the financing of small and medium size enterprises (SME) in Austria. Although the Basel II Accord has not been established yet, the study tries to evaluate the expected impact of the Basel II Accord on SMEs, on the bases of the current financial data of SMEs. The empirical work used the NACE datapool for Austrian SME provided by KMU Forschung Austria. In the datapool, SMEs are defined as companies with a turnover of up to € 100 Mio. In addition to the statistical analysis an empirical data survey has been conducted by Triconsult. The survey focused on the expected impact of the Basel II Accord on SMEs by intermediaries (f.i. consultancies and technology transfer agencies). The results of the study show that most SME and intermediaries are not prepared for the new regulations initiated by Basel II. Accordingly three measures should be taken by policy makers to enhance SMEs capability to adjust to the new requests established by the Basel II Accord: 1. Extension of the information for SMEs on the impact of the Basel II Accord. 2. Companies should be motivated to enlarge indicators that give banks information about their financial development. 3. Measures are required to improve the financial structure of SMEs in Austria

Reconstrution of the brewery- Boskovice

Cílem práce bylo navržení obnovy bývalého zámeckého pivovaru v Boskovicích v okresu Blansko. Navrhovanými provozy jsou restaurace s minipivovarem, pivní lázně pod klenbami suterénu a multifunkční sál se zázemím. Většími stavebními úpravami jsou přístavba na západní fasádě charakteristická vytočením své hmoty za výhledem na zříceninu Boskovického hradu a vytvoření průchodu, který zkracuje místní pěší komunikaci. Všechny provozy jsou přístupné osobám s omezenou schopností pohybu. K objektu patří malý pozemek, kde bylo zřízeno 6 parkovacích míst z toho 2 pro imobilní.The aim of the thesis was to design a renewal of old brewery in Boskovice in Blansko county. There is a restaurant with small home brewery, beer spa and multifunctional hall with facilities. Bigger structures built are: extension on the western faccade, which is characterised by its mass turned towards view on the ruins of old Boskovice castle and creation of passage that shortens local walking path. All types of services are accesible for disabled persons. There is a small piece of land next to the building where 6 parking slots are built. Two of them serve for disabled persons.

Access to finance and venture capital for industrial SMEs

SMEs play a crucial role for European economies. The numbers show the high importance of SMEs for national economies. Accordingly, it is no surprise that the regulatory framework SMEs are imbedded in is the subject of an important political discussion. In the discussion it is frequently mentioned by representatives of SMEs as well as associations of SMEs, that the access to finance for SMEs is still inferior. Based on the importance of SMEs for national economies and the discussion on the accessibility of financial resources for SMEs, it is the main objective of this study to provide solid data on the access of SMEs to financial resources. To provide the data, the study is focusing on four main issues. First of all, the importance of SMEs for national economies will be shown. After that the financing of SMEs in selected countries will be analysed. Then the availability of venture capital for SMEs will be discussed. Finally the tax regimes and the influence of the tax system on the access to finance for SMEs will be analysed. Since there is still a large variety among the tax systems of the European Union member states, the study has focused on Austria, France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. --SME,financial structure,venture capital,tax framework,accounting standards

The genesis of the Black-Scholes option pricing formula

Innovations in the finance industry are an important tool to enhance profitability and to increase a nation's wealth. It, therefore, is not astonishing that there is much empirical work on innovations in finance. Most of the work however is concerned with the design of innovative products. The question on how innovations are established and pushed through in financial markets is mostly neglected. Hardly any asks: How do we develop new ways of pricing derivatives, how do we enhance risk control, how do we generate new processes that may enhance the profitability of finance business? The second sector innovation theory in the last decades has taken a different approach. To understand innovation better researchers have focused on the question on how innovations have been emerging. Studies on the history of innovations opened a promising line of research that helps to understand innovation processes much better (see Hughes 1983 und Callon 1986). A similar approach has yet not been adapted to innovation theories in financial markets.1 Accordingly it is the articles objective to evaluate the outcome of a transfer of innovation theories from the second into the third sector. The transfer is conducted on the example of the BlackScholes option pricing formula, an innovation with a strong influence on the efficiency of decisions in the option market. The article shows how the innovation emerged and what factors influenced the diffusion process

A bigger piece of the pie? State corrections spending and the politics of social order

Author's manuscript made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.The dramatic increase in American state prison populations during the past three decades has sparked considerable research interest. Empirical research has most often examined changes in prison admissions or populations, but few studies have considered shifts in state corrections budgets. This study examines variation in annual, state-level corrections expenditures as a proportion of state expenditures from 1980 to 1998, drawing together existing theoretical arguments about criminal punishment under a common rubric that focuses on state responsibility for the maintenance of social order and the need for state officials to maintain office through popular election. From this view, partisan politics, economic and racial threats, citizen preferences, fiscal considerations, policy priorities, and crime are important explanations of corrections spending because they affect strategies for maintaining social order, garnering votes, and maintaining political office. Findings generally support this perspective. Partisan politics, racial threats, state economic prosperity, and budgetary priorities all play a role in determining state corrections expenditures

Auswirkungen des Basel II Akkords auf österreichisches KMU

The paper discusses the impact of the Basel II Accord on the financing of small and medium size enterprises (SME) in Austria. Although the Basel II Accord has not been established yet, the study tries to evaluate the expected impact of the Basel II Accord on SMEs, on the bases of the current financial data of SMEs. The empirical work used the NACE datapool for Austrian SME provided by KMU Forschung Austria. In the datapool, SMEs are defined as companies with a turnover of up to 100 Mio. In addition to the statistical analysis an empirical data survey has been conducted by Triconsult. The survey focused on the expected impact of the Basel II Accord on SMEs by intermediaries (f.i. consultancies and technology transfer agencies). The results of the study show that most SME and intermediaries are not prepared for the new regulations initiated by Basel II. Accordingly three measures should be taken by policy makers to enhance SMEs capability to adjust to the new requests established by the Basel II Accord: 1. Extension of the information for SMEs on the impact of the Basel II Accord. 2. Companies should be motivated to enlarge indicators that give banks information about their financial development. 3. Measures are required to improve the financial structure of SMEs in Austria. --Basel II Accord,Innovation,Finance of Innovation