International real estate investments by US pension and endowment funds

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2004.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-56).The last decade has seen a renewed interest and resurgence in private IRE investments by US institutional investors. Pension Plan Sponsors and Endowment Funds have sought out foreign real estate to accomplish a variety of goals, such as increased diversification, higher returns, and the pursuit of unique investment opportunities. This thesis attempts to shed light on the current state of IRE investing by such investors. The paper begins with a review of published and unpublished literature on the subject, followed by analysis of an investor survey conducted by the author. A total of 14 Pension Fund Plan Sponsors, Endowment Fund managers, Pension Fund Consultants, Fund Managers, and Investment Managers participated in the study. The results of the survey describe what the current investment practices of US institutional investors are, what reasoning is behind those practices, and what their future investment plans are. The last portion consists of conclusions about these findings and a discussion of future trends in IRE investing may emerge as a result.by Michael J. Mullins.S.M

Low temperature/short duration steaming as a sustainable method of soil disinfection

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference. Soil samples containing resting structures of fungal crop pathogens (Verticillium dahliae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium cepivorum, Pythium ultimum), potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida) and weeds (Chenopodium album and Agropyron repens) were treated with aerated steam in the laboratory at temperatures ranging from 50–80oC in a specially constructed apparatus. Steaming at 50 or 60oC for three minutes, followed by an eight-minute resting period in the steamed soil and immediate removal from the soil thereafter, resulted in 100% kill of all weeds, fungi and nematodes. Low temperature/ short duration soil steaming could become a sustainable alternative to chemical or high-temperature steam soil disinfestation

Crossover Scaling of Wavelength Selection in Directional Solidification of Binary Alloys

We simulate dendritic growth in directional solidification in dilute binary alloys using a phase-field model solved with an adaptive-mesh refinement. The spacing of primary branches is examined for a range of thermal gradients and alloy compositions and is found to undergo a maximum as a function of pulling velocity, in agreement with experimental observations. We demonstrate that wavelength selection is unambiguously described by a non-trivial crossover scaling function from the emergence of cellular growth to the onset of dendritic fingers, a result validated using published experimental data.Comment: 4 pages, four figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Continuum description of profile scaling in nanostructure decay

The relaxation of axisymmetric crystal surfaces with a single facet below the roughening transition is studied via a continuum approach that accounts for step energy g_1 and step-step interaction energy g_3>0. For diffusion-limited kinetics, free-boundary and boundary-layer theories are used for self-similar shapes close to the growing facet. For long times and g_3/g_1 < 1, (a) a universal equation is derived for the shape profile, (b) the layer thickness varies as (g_3/g_1)^{1/3}, (c) distinct solutions are found for different g_3/_1, and (d) for conical shapes, the profile peak scales as (g_3/g_1)^{-1/6}. These results compare favorably with kinetic simulations.Comment: 4 pages including 3 figure

Copolymerization Studies of Vinyl Chloride and Vinyl Acetate with Ethylene Using a Transition-Metal Catalyst

Since the advent of Ziegler−Natta polymerization of ethylene, attempts have been made to extend coordination polymerization to commercially important monomers with polar functionality. In this study we examined the copolymerization of perdeuterated vinyl chloride (VC) and perdeuterated vinyl acetate (VA) with ethylene using a tridentate Fe(II) dichloride pyridine diimine metal catalyst. The resulting ethylene oligomers were examined by GC/MS and ^2H NMR spectroscopy. It was shown that VC was inserted once for every ∼180 ethylene monomers and VA was inserted once for every ∼350 ethylene monomers. VC and VA behave as comonomers for coordination/insertion polymerizations with ethylene. However, we find that insertion with either monomer leads to termination of the growing chain via β-elimination processes. The deuterium atoms are exclusively located at the olefin terminus for each of the monomers

Post-hospital medical respite care and hospital readmission of homeless persons

Medical respite programs offer medical, nursing, and other care as well as accommodation for homeless persons discharged from acute hospital stays. They represent a community-based adaptation of urban health systems to the specific needs of homeless persons. This article examines whether post-hospital discharge to a homeless medical respite program was associated with a reduced chance of 90-day readmission compared to other disposition options. Adjusting for imbalances in patient characteristics using propensity scores, respite patients were the only group that was significantly less likely to be readmitted within 90 days compared to those released to Own Care. Respite programs merit attention as a potentially efficacious service for homeless persons leaving the hospital

Transgluteal CT-Guided Percutaneous Renal Access for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in a Pelvic Horseshoe Kidney

CT-guided percutaneous renal access has been described as a safe and effective access technique in patients with complex anatomy, including ectopic kidney, retrorenal colon, spinal dysraphism, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. In comparison to conventional intraoperative fluoroscopic-guided access, CT imaging allows for delineation of surrounding structures that are at risk for injury during percutaneous access. However, previous reports indicate that pelvic kidneys might be inaccessible percutaneously without laparoscopic assistance. Herein, we present a novel transgluteal route to renal access for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a patient with a pelvic horseshoe kidney and severe spinal deformity

721-6 Pulmonary Balloon Valvuloplasty: Effective Palliation for Infants with Tetralogy of Fallot and Small Pulmonary Arteries

Infants with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and small pulmonary arteries (PAs) may need palliation to improve pulmonary blood flow and allow growth of the PAs prior to complete repair. Shunts may become occluded, distort the PAs or cause pulmonary overcirculation. As an alternative palliation, we performed pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (PBV) on infants with TOF and small PAs.20 infants, ages 1.8±1.5 mo and weights 4.1±1.6kg, undervvent PBV as initial palliation for persistent cyanosis or “spells”. 4/20 pts were intubated prior to or for PBV All pts had pre and post-PBV angiograms. In all pts, single balloon valvuloplasty was performed. The ratio of balloon: pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) diameter was 1.51±0.32. Post-PBV, there was no change in the PYA diameter (5.2±1.1mm vs 5.6 + 1.1mm; p=0.1) or PA branch diameter(4.1±1.6mm vs 4.5±1.7mm, p&gt;0.05). The systemic 02 saturation increased from 81±8% to 93±6%. (p&lt;0.001)7/20 pts undervvent follow-up (F/U) cath 8.2±2.4 mo post-PBV Compared to pre-PBV measurements, the PYA diameter increased from 5.2 ± 1.1mm to 7.1±1.4mm (p&lt;0.03) and the McGoon ratio increased from 1.4±0.4 to 2.1±0.3 (p&lt;0.02).Of the 20 pts, 11 pts undervvent corrective surgery 8.0±3.1 mo post-PBV with no surgical deaths; 5 pts remain in stable condition awaiting surgery; 3 pts required shunt placement 9-66 days post-PBV; 1 pt died due to other congenital anomalies.ConclusionsPulmonary balloon valvuloplasty promotes growth of the PAs and PYA in infants with TOF and small PAs, offering a safe and effective alternative palliation for infants who are not yet candidates for complete repair

Redilation of endovascular stents in congenital heart disease: factors implicated in the development of restenosis and neointimal proliferation

AbstractOBJECTIVESWe sought to determine the incidence of and risk factors for the development of restenosis and neointimal proliferation after endovascular stent implantation for congenital heart disease (CHD).BACKGROUNDRisk factors for the development of restenosis and neointimal proliferation are poorly understood.METHODSThis was a retrospective review of patients who underwent endovascular stent redilation between September 1989 and February 2000.RESULTSOf 368 patients who had 752 stents implanted, 220 were recatheterized. Of those 220 patients, 103 underwent stent redilation. Patients were classified into three groups: 1) those with pulmonary artery stenosis (n = 94), tetralogy of Fallot/pulmonary atresia (n = 72), congenital branch pulmonary stenosis (n = 9), status post-Fontan operation (n = 6), status post-arterial switch operation (n = 7); 2) those with iliofemoral venous obstruction (n = 6); and 3) those with miscellaneous disorders (n = 3). The patients’ median age was 9.9 years (range 0.5 to 39.8); their mean follow-up duration was 3.8 years (range 0.1 to 10). Indications for stent redilation included somatic growth (n = 67), serial dilation (n = 27) and development of neointimal proliferation or restenosis, or both (n = 9). There was a low incidence of neointimal proliferation (1.8%) and restenosis (2%). There were no deaths. Complications included pulmonary edema (n = 1), hemoptysis (n = 1) and contralateral stent compression (n = 2).CONCLUSIONSRedilation or further dilation of endovascular stents for CHD is effective as late as 10 years. The risk of neointimal proliferation (1.8%) and restenosis (2%) is low and possibly avoidable. Awareness of specific risk factors and modification of the stent implantation technique, including avoidance of minimal stent overlap and sharp angulation of the stent to the vessel wall and avoidance of overdilation, have helped to reduce the incidence of restenosis

Causes of ant sting anaphylaxis in Australia: the Australian Ant Venom Allergy Study

Objective: To determine the Australian native ant species associated with ant sting anaphylaxis, geographical distribution of allergic reactions, and feasibility of diagnostic venom-specific IgE (sIgE) testing. Design, setting and participants: Descriptive clinical, entomological and immunological study of Australians with a history of ant sting anaphylaxis, recruited in 2006-2007 through media exposure and referrals from allergy practices and emergency physicians nationwide. We interviewed participants, collected entomological specimens, prepared reference venom extracts, and conducted serum sIgE testing against ant venom panels relevant to the species found in each geographical region. Main outcome measures: Reaction causation attributed using a combination of ant identification and sIgE testing. Results: 376 participants reported 735 systemic reactions. Of 299 participants for whom a cause was determined, 265 (89%; 95% CI, 84%-92%) had reacted clinically to Myrmecia species and 34 (11%; 95% CI, 8%-16%) to green-head ant (Rhytidoponera metallica). Of those with reactions to Myrmecia species, 176 reacted to jack jumper ant (Myrmecia pilosula species complex), 18 to other jumper ants (15 to Myrmecia nigrocincta, three to Myrmecia ludlowi) and 56 to a variety of bulldog ants, with some participants reacting to more than one type of bulldog ant. Variable serological cross-reactivity between bulldog ant species was observed, and sera from patients with bulldog ant allergy were all positive to one or more venoms extracted from Myrmecia forficata, Myrmecia pyriformis and Myrmecia nigriceps. Conclusion: Four main groups of Australian ants cause anaphylaxis. Serum sIgE testing enhances the accuracy of diagnosis and is a prerequisite for administering species- specific venom immunotherapy