Testing Alternative Theories of the Property Price-Trading Volume Correlation

This article examines the correlation between the real housing price and trading volume. Contrary to the predictions of standard rational expectation models, a robust positive correlation between the two variables is identified. While no clear lead-lag relationship is found in the raw data, which is more consistent with the downpayment effect model, the medium-run component of the trading volume tends to lead (and Granger cause) the corresponding component of the property price, which is more consistent with the search theoretic model. An explanation for this difference in behavior is suggested and several future research directions are provided.

A Sequential Mixed Method Study of Employee Job Satisfaction in Upscale Restaurants, Malaysia

The study determines the main factors affecting job satisfaction in upscale restaurants and their degree of comparative influence. The research initially involves qualitative data analysis of 20 interviews with restaurant employees representing five upscale restaurants in Kuala Lumpur (KL), followed by structural equation modeling of data retrieved from 368 questionnaires from 16 KL restaurants. The impact variance of four main determinants of job satisfaction are revealed, where the “working environment” has the highest impact, followed by “payment and compensation,” “promotion”, and finally, “workplace fairness”. Crucially, “workplace relationships” have a moderating effect on the relationship between the “work environment” and job satisfaction, implicating industry-applied recommendations to strengthen job satisfaction levels

Composting paper and grass clippings with anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the composting performance of anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent (AnPOME) mixed with paper and grass clippings. Methods Composting was conducted using a laboratory scale system for 40 days. Several parameters were determined: temperature, mass reduction, pH, electrical conductivity, colour, zeta potential, phytotoxicity and final compost nutrients. Results The moisture content and compost mass were reduced by 24 and 18 %, respectively. Both final compost pH value and electrical conductivity were found to increase in value. Colour (measured as PtCo) was not suitable as a maturity indicator. The negative zeta potential values decreased from −12.25 to −21.80 mV. The phytotoxicity of the compost mixture was found to decrease in value during the process and the final nutrient value of the compost indicates its suitability as a soil conditioner. Conclusions From this study, we conclude that the addition of paper and grass clippings can be a potential substrate to be composted with anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent (AnPOME). The final compost produced is suitable for soil conditioner

Multidisciplinary Development of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Fleet

Eco-Dolphin – Cooperative Fleet for Surveillance Mission SIAM, Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics, members have been working for two years on the design, construction and testing of three highly integrated and streamlined autonomous underwater vehicles called Eco-Dolphins. This project is being developed at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach campus. The Leverage lab is used to create detailed mathematical models and conduct preliminary research for both electrical and mechanical systems. The campus Composites lab is used for the fabrication of structural and aesthetic components used by the high adaptable platform. The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle testing is conducted in the Universities Nonlinear Waves lab. The first phase of design, production and assembly of the yellow Eco-Dolphin prototype has been done in twelve months. The design includes an internal attitude control system, combined with internal propulsion from brushless direct current thrusters, thus allowing the vehicle to ascend and descend. The Eco-Dolphins promise is to be a unique, highly optimized and a competitive underwater vehicle fleet. The team has also successfully completed the second phase of the program, which involved tracking the Eco-Dolphins while submerged underwater. Work has been conducted to add a GPS system for surface tracking. Converting the acoustic system from tethered to wireless to make the ground station more robust. The Eco-Dolphin is configured with recently developed control system software that utilizes a relay combination of Wireless, Sonar and GPS radio wave communication. The current progress on the blue Eco-dolphin will be completed by the summer of 2014, for testing in littoral waters of central Florida. Through the addition of three sequential (yellow, blue, red) vehicles, therefore allows for better position and orientation data to be sent to the teams buoy network. The three vehicles, three buoy communication structure, multiply the data points collected for surveillance and underwater mapping purposes. This additional complexity improves the reliability and increases the application of the product through error elimination software. The team gives hands on research experience to SIAM members through applied mathematics. The outcome of the research goals, results in the application of many fields of study beyond mathematics. When combined the fleet can cooperatively fulfill multitask missions, advanced surveillance and environmental monitoring can be conducted. This opportunity opens the way for better balance between sustainable developments of the coastline

Deer, People, and Parks: Perspectives of Residents in Communities Near Valley Forge National Historical Park

Click on the PDF for an Executive Summary and the full report. Visit the HDRU website for a complete listing of HDRU publications at: http://hdru.dnr.cornell.edu

Real-time PCR based on SYBR-Green I fluorescence: An alternative to the TaqMan assay for a relative quantification of gene rearrangements, gene amplifications and micro gene deletions

BACKGROUND: Real-time PCR is increasingly being adopted for RNA quantification and genetic analysis. At present the most popular real-time PCR assay is based on the hybridisation of a dual-labelled probe to the PCR product, and the development of a signal by loss of fluorescence quenching as PCR degrades the probe. Though this so-called 'TaqMan' approach has proved easy to optimise in practice, the dual-labelled probes are relatively expensive. RESULTS: We have designed a new assay based on SYBR-Green I binding that is quick, reliable, easily optimised and compares well with the published assay. Here we demonstrate its general applicability by measuring copy number in three different genetic contexts; the quantification of a gene rearrangement (T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells); the detection and quantification of GLI, MYC-C and MYC-N gene amplification in cell lines and cancer biopsies; and detection of deletions in the OPA1 gene in dominant optic atrophy. CONCLUSION: Our assay has important clinical applications, providing accurate diagnostic results in less time, from less biopsy material and at less cost than assays currently employed such as FISH or Southern blotting

The upgrade of GEO600

The German / British gravitational wave detector GEO 600 is in the process of being upgraded. The upgrading process of GEO 600, called GEO-HF, will concentrate on the improvement of the sensitivity for high frequency signals and the demonstration of advanced technologies. In the years 2009 to 2011 the detector will undergo a series of upgrade steps, which are described in this paper.Comment: 9 pages, Amaldi 8 conference contributio

Students’ experiences, learning outcomes and satisfaction in e-learning

This study was aimed to examine whether students’ experiences in e-learning are related to learning outcomes and satisfaction. Three learning experiences, which are course design, interaction with the instructor and interaction with peer students were identified as the predictors of learning outcomes and satisfaction. Self-administered questionnaire was adopted. The paper questionnaires were distributed to students at a university in Malaysia. In total, 670 valid responses were obtained. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to confirm the underlying factor structure for the observed variables. Regression analyses indicated that course design, interaction with the instructor and interaction with peer students are positively related to the learning outcomes and satisfaction. Among all learning experiences, interaction with peer students make the strongest contributions to learning outcomes and satisfaction. This study demonstrates the importance for University administrators and instructors to design e-learning course to optimal students’ experiences to enhance their learning outcomes and satisfaction

E-learning satisfaction: investigating gender differences

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of learner-content interaction, learner-learner interaction, learner-instructor interaction, self-regulated learning, and Internet self-efficacy is present on e-learning satisfaction. The gender effect is also included in the investigation of the impact. Many studies have been conducted to reveal learners' satisfaction with e-learning, however, limited research has emphasized the gender effect in explaining learner satisfaction. A review of the existing literature was used to develop a conceptual model which was further tested using data collected from undergraduate students. The data collection used a self-administered questionnaire and 742 valid responses were acquired. Partial least square-structural equation modeling was used to analyze the model while multigroup analysis was used to assess the gender differences for the predictors. The results showed that learner-instructor interaction, learner-learner interaction, self-regulated learning, and Internet self-efficacy were predictors for learning satisfaction based on the overall sample. The university may use these factors as a reference to achieve learning satisfaction among students. Gender was found significantly different in the relationship between Internet self-efficacy and satisfaction. The finding suggests that the university administrators need to undertake strategic change to assist female learners in overcoming the barrier of Internet self-efficacy skills

The Effect Of Refolding Conditions On The Protein Solubility Recovered From Inclusion Bodies

Recombinant proteins are expressed as inclusion bodies in bacterial enriched native-like secondary structure and thus give a great potential in biotechnological utilities. However, the quality of soluble proteins recovered from inclusion bodies is questionable because the refolded protein with wrong conformation will assemble to form aggregates. In this study, enhanced green fluorescent protein-inclusion bodies was used as the model protein to investigate the effects of protein concentration and purity on protein refolding. Three different types of solubized enhanced green fluorescent protein-inclusion bodies were refolded which were solubized inclusion bodies with cell debris, solubized inclusion bodies with detergent washing, and purified solubized inclusion bodies using preparative native urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. For the first and second conditions, the solubized enhanced green fluorescent protein-inclusion bodies were refolded at a high protein concentration and low protein purity environment. Polyacrylamide gel images show the refolded protein changed in conformation and increased in size when the solubized inclusion bodies underwent various refolding periods. Meanwhile, the refolded protein under the third refolding condition has a correct protein conformation and achieved the highest refolding yield. Studying the effects of refolding conditions using different types of solubized inclusion bodies may provide researchers with possible approaches to avoid soluble aggregates formation