Semiparametric Stepwise Regression to Estimate Sales Promotion Effects

Kalyanam and Shively (1998) and van Heerde et al. (2001) have proposed semiparametric models to estimate the influence of price promotions on brand sales, and both obtained superior performance for their models compared to strictly parametric modeling. Following these researchers, we suggest another semiparametric framework which is based on penalized B-splines to analyze sales promotion effects flexibly. Unlike these researchers, we introduce a stepwise procedure with simultaneous smoothing parameter choice for variable selection. Applying this stepwise routine enables us to deal with product categories with many competitive items without imposing restrictions on the competitive market structure in advance. We illustrate the new methodology in an empirical application using weekly store-level scanner data

Studies of final states in small x deep inelastic scattering

We investigate the possibility of identifying In(l/x) dynamics from studies of the final state in electron - proton deep inelastic scattering (DIS) in the small x region of the HERA collider at DESY. Motivated by recent observations at HERA we consider again the measurement of DIS events containing an identified forward jet as proposed by Mueller. We find that the shape of the x distribution of the data is described well by a prediction based on In(l/x) dynamics. Since forward jets are difficult to identify and measure accurately in the experiments we suggest the study of deep inelastic events containing an energetic isolated photon. We quantify the enhancement arising from the leading In(l/x) gluon emissions with a view to using such events to identify the underlying dynamics in the small x regime at HERA. To overcome the small event rate of jet + γ we propose that the forward jet may alternatively be identified through a single energetic decay product, the π . We investigate the feasibility of utilizing these deep inelastic + forward π events as an indicator of the small x dynamics. Motivated by this study the HI collaboration recently performed a DIS + π measurement. Therefore we update our BFKL prediction imposing the HI cuts in the calculation. We fix the normalisation by comparing with HERA data for DIS + jet. Finally we study the transverse momentum (pr) spectrum of charged particles produced in DIS at small Bjorken x in the central region between the current jet and the proton remnants. Again we normalize the BFKL prediction by comparing with the H1 DIS + jet data. We calculate the spectrum at large pr with the BFKL ln(l/x) resummation included and then repeat the calculation with it omitted. We find that data favour the former

In 10 Schritten zu Teillohnstellen in privatwirtschaftlichen Unternehmen

Eine Möglichkeit der Arbeitsintegration von leistungsbeeinträchtigten Langzeitarbeitlosen sind Teillohnstellen. In einem Teillohnarbeitsverhältnis entspricht der von den ArbeitgeberInnen ausbezahlte Lohn der Teilleistung der Arbeitnehmenden. Die Differenz des ausbezahlten Lohns bis zum Existenzbedarf wird aus Sozialhilfegeldern erbracht. Die Arbeitshilfe zeigt in 10 Schritten exemplarisch das Vorgehen auf, wie ein Teillohnstellenangebot erfolgreich umgesetzt werden kann. Sie bietet Hilfestellung bei der Akquisition von Teillohnstellen in Unternehmen und weist darauf hin, welche Voraussetzungen in der Praxis für die Schaffung von Teillohnstellen in privatwirtschaftlichen Unternehmen erforderlich sind

Teillohnstellen in privatwirtschaftlichen Unternehmen : Welche Geschäftsprozesse und Tätigkeiten eignen sich und welches sind entscheidende Erfolgsfaktoren?

Eine Möglichkeit der Arbeitsintegration von leistungsbeeinträchtigten Langzeitarbeitlosen sind Teillohnstellen. In einem Teillohnarbeitsverhältnis entspricht der von den ArbeitgeberInnen ausbezahlte Lohn der Teilleistung der Arbeitnehmenden. Die Differenz des ausbezahlten Lohns bis zum Existenzbedarf wird aus Sozialhilfegeldern erbracht. Der Bericht geht der Frage nach, welche Branchen und Prozesse sich für Teillohnstellen eignen, und wie die Rahmenbedingungen von Teillohnstellen in privatwirtschaftlichen Unternehmen idealerweise gestaltet werden müssen, damit ein möglichst hoher Integrationserfolg erzielt werden kann

Nº 1)

ABSTRACT. We examined whether Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) and Experiential Avoidance (EA), two potentially relevant constructs in the evolution of anxiety and related disorders with significant implications for cognitive-behavioral treatments, differentially relate to symptom expressions of patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Within a multi-center study 369 patients meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PD/AG) completed the multidimensional Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS), the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Overlap, distinctiveness, and predictive validity of AS and EA were examined using explorative item analyses and multiple hierarchical regression analyses. AS and EA moderately correlated wit

Coinfection with Entamoeba polecki and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in a pig with severe diarrhea

Enteric disease in pigs is usually of multifactorial etiology, including infectious and non-infectious factors. In many cases of endemic diarrhea in weaner-to-finisher pigs, the combination of 2 or more microorganisms leads to aggravation of intestinal lesions and, consequently, clinical signs. We autopsied a 4-mo-old fattening pig with diarrhea and diagnosed severe fibrinonecrotizing typhlocolitis. Numerous spiral-shaped bacteria and amoeba-like PAS-positive protozoa were observed in the cecal and colonic mucosa and submucosa. Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was detected by PCR from colonic content. By in situ hybridization, large numbers of Entamoeba polecki were found within the lamina propria and submucosa; moderate numbers of Blastocystis sp. and scattered trichomonads were present in intestinal content. In addition, Entamoeba polecki, Balantidium spp., Blastocystis sp., and Trichomonas sp. were also detected by PCR.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Determination of some heavy metals and mineral nutrients of bay tree (Laurus nobilis L.) in Bartin city, Turkey

Concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in Laurus nobilis L. were examined for assessment of the impact of heavy metal exposure during winter periods, since these metals have the highest toxic potential. In this study, leaf (washed and unwashed), bark and branch samples of L. nobilis and soil samples were collected from 13 different localities, belonged to three stations. In conjunction with analyzing impact of the heavy metal exposure on the city using L. nobilis as a biomonitoring tool, the uptake and composition of mineral nutrients of L. nobilis were also investigated for determining the effects of heavy metals on mineral nutrition metabolism of the plant. The heavy metal and mineral nutrient concentrations of the collected samples were measured by using ICP-OES. The obtained data was analyzed with SPSS statistics program. As a result of measurements, the lowest and highest heavy metal accumulations and the amount of mineral nutrients measured in plants were as follows; Al (14.69-122.44 mg/kg d. wt), Cd (0.23-0.89 mg/kg d. wt), Cu (1.64-14.25 mg/kg d. wt.), Ni (0.001-0.45 mg/kg d. wt.), Pb (2.06-5.28 mg/kg d. wt.) and B (1.04- 6.67 mg/kg d. wt.), Ca (1195.34-4919.03 mg/kg d. wt.), Fe (17.13-203.25 mg/kg d. wt.), K (538.99-3778.37 mg/kg d. wt.), Mg(48.1-268.5 mg/kg d. wt.), Na (24.91-77.43 mg/kg d. wt.) and Zn (4.75-15.74 mg/kg d. wt.). According to the experimental data, the volume of the air pollution was analyzed and found significant in the city. Also, it was noticed that the metabolism of mineral nutrients of L. nobilis was altered by heavy metals. Finally, it was proved that L. nobilis is a suitable organism to be used as a biomonitoring tool for conducting research on heavy metal pollution

The Evolution of the Satratoxin and Atranone Gene Clusters of Stachybotrys chartarum

Stachybotrys chartarum is frequently isolated from damp building materials or improperly stored animal forage. Human and animal exposure to the secondary metabolites of this mold is linked to severe health effects. The mutually exclusive production of either satratoxins or atranones defines the chemotypes A and S. Based upon the genes (satratoxin cluster, SC1-3, sat or atranone cluster, AC1, atr) that are supposed to be essential for satratoxin and atranone production, S. chartarum can furthermore be divided into three genotypes: the S-type possessing all sat- but no atr-genes, the A-type lacking the sat- but harboring all atr-genes, and the H-type having only certain sat- and all atr-genes. We analyzed the above-mentioned gene clusters and their flanking regions to shed light on the evolutionary relationship. Furthermore, we performed a deep re-sequencing and LC-MS/MS (Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) analysis. We propose a first model for the evolution of the S. chartarum genotypes. We assume that genotype H represents the most ancient form. A loss of the AC1 and the concomitant acquisition of the SC2 led to the emergence of the genotype S. According to our model, the genotype H also developed towards genotype A, a process that was accompanied by a loss of SC1 and SC3

Hippocampal necrosis and sclerosis in cats: A retrospective study of 35 cases

Hippocampal necrosis and hippocampal sclerosis in cats is a neuropathological entity which is a major concern in feline epilepsy. The aim of our study was to identify associated pathologic brain lesions possibly serving as aetiological triggers in this condition. Therefore, the formalin-fixed and paraffin waxembedded brain tissue of 35 cats diagnosed with hippocampal necrosis or sclerosis was examined retrospectively. In 26 cats inflammatory infiltrates could be found in the hippocampus or adjacent brain regions. Fifteen out of these animals demonstrated mild to moderate infiltrations by lymphocytes and complement deposition in the hippocampus similar to human limbic encephalitis, seven showed unspecific, predominantly non-suppurative inflammation, and two demonstrated suppurative inflammation of the hippocampus or adjacent brain regions. Additionally, one cat was diagnosed with central nervous manifestation of feline infectious peritonitis virus and another one with cerebral Toxoplasma gondii infection. Intracranial neoplasia was present in five cases altogether. Three of them comprised meningioma which was present additionally to lesions resembling limbic encephalitis in two cases, and a dentate gyrus alteration in one case. The other two tumour-associated cases comprised oligodendroglioma. Structural alterations of the dentate gyrus together with hippocampal sclerosis were encountered in three cases in total. Besides the case associated with a meningioma, one case demonstrated lesions resembling limbic encephalitis. A vascular infarct in the temporal lobe was encountered in one cat. In four cases no lesions other than hippocampal necrosis or sclerosis were found. The involvement of feline immunodeficiency virus infections, which may be able to produce hippocampal lesions, was not encountered in the cats examined