ASSESSING THE LOUISIANA SHRIMP FISHING FLEET TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY USING A BAYESIAN STOCHASTIC COST FRONTIER MODEL

A Bayesian stochastic cost frontier analyzed the shrimp fleet of Louisiana. A translog cost function was estimated. 269 vessels were included and sub-grouped by length (<20 ft, 21-40ft, and >60ft), and net type (trawl, skimmer, and butterfly). Results indicated no influence of these factors on cost efficiency.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

A DOUBLE HURDLE APPROACH TO EVALUATING NON-RESIDENTIAL WILDLIFE WATCHING IN THE UNITED STATES

In 1996, over 62 million U.S. residents participated in wildlife watching and spent in excess of 29 billion dollars in this recreational activity. Wildlife watching can be defined as the observation, study, and enjoyment of natural areas and its wild fauna and flora. Residential wildlife watching takes place within one mile of the participant's residence and is often an incidental or secondary activity. Non-residential wildlife watching refers to recreation taking place at a distance of at least one mile from the participant's residence. In recent years, a sharp decline in the number of wildlife watchers has been noted. Between 1991 and 1996, the number of wildlife watchers decreased by 17 percent. During this time interval, the largest decline in participation was observed in non-residential viewing. The number of non-residential wildlife watchers declined by 21 percent. This trend is damaging to towns and communities, especially rural communities which largely depend on recreation dollars. The mitigation or reversal of this trend hinges upon the identification of factors affecting participation and expenditures on wildlife viewing. The determining role of several socioeconomic attributes in explaining participation and expenditures on nature-related recreation has been widely studied in the leisure and recreation literature. However, most of these past studies have focused on fishing and hunting activities rather than the equally important non-residential wildlife watching. Hence, this study evaluates participation decisions and the extent of the participation in non-residential wildlife watching in the United States. Keywords: wildlife watching, limited dependent variables, double hurdlewildlife watching, limited dependent variables, double hurdle, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The dynamics of gene expression changes in a mouse model of oral tumorigenesis may help refine prevention and treatment strategies in patients with oral cancer.

A better understanding of the dynamics of molecular changes occurring during the early stages of oral tumorigenesis may help refine prevention and treatment strategies. We generated genome-wide expression profiles of microdissected normal mucosa, hyperplasia, dysplasia and tumors derived from the 4-NQO mouse model of oral tumorigenesis. Genes differentially expressed between tumor and normal mucosa defined the "tumor gene set" (TGS), including 4 non-overlapping gene subsets that characterize the dynamics of gene expression changes through different stages of disease progression. The majority of gene expression changes occurred early or progressively. The relevance of these mouse gene sets to human disease was tested in multiple datasets including the TCGA and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer project. The TGS was able to discriminate oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from normal oral mucosa in 3 independent datasets. The OSCC samples enriched in the mouse TGS displayed high frequency of CASP8 mutations, 11q13.3 amplifications and low frequency of PIK3CA mutations. Early changes observed in the 4-NQO model were associated with a trend toward a shorter oral cancer-free survival in patients with oral preneoplasia that was not seen in multivariate analysis. Progressive changes observed in the 4-NQO model were associated with an increased sensitivity to 4 different MEK inhibitors in a panel of 51 squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the areodigestive tract. In conclusion, the dynamics of molecular changes in the 4-NQO model reveal that MEK inhibition may be relevant to prevention and treatment of a specific molecularly-defined subgroup of OSCC

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, French Guiana

A systematic serological survey of patients suffering from symptoms suggestive of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome allowed us to identify a native case in French Guiana. Partial molecular characterization of the implicated hantavirus revealed its close relationship with the Bolivian Rio Mamore virus. We tentatively named it Maripa virus

Pelleting torrefied biomass at pilot-scale – Quality and implications for co-firing

The co-firing of solid biofuels in coal plants is an attractive and fast-track means of cutting emissions but its potential is linked to biomass densification. For torrefied materials this topic is under-represented in literature. This pilot-scale (121–203 kg h−1) pelleting study generated detailed knowledge on the densification of torrefied biomass compared to untreated biomass. Four feedstock with high supply availability (beech, poplar, wheat straw and corn cob) were studied in their untreated and torrefied forms. Systematic methods were used to produce 180 batches of 8 mm dia. pellets using press channel length (PCL) and moisture content (MC) ranges of 30–60 mm and 7.3–16.6% (wet basis) respectively. Analysis showed that moderate degrees of torrefaction (250–280 °C, 20–75 min) strongly affected pelleting behaviour. The highest quality black pellets had a mechanical durability and bulk density range of 87.5–98.7% and 662–697 kg m−3 respectively. Pelleting energy using torrefied feedstock varied from −15 to +53 kWh t−1 from untreated with increases in production fines. Optimal pelleting MC and PCL were reduced significantly for torrefied feedstock and pellet quality was characterised by a decrease in mechanical durability and an increase in bulk density. Energy densities of 11.9–13.2 GJ m−3 (as received) were obtained

Tinjauan Sosio Historis Strategi Pengembangan Kemampuan Menulis dalam Konteks Implementasi Kebijakan Penulisan Jurnal Pendidikan Tinggi

Surat Edaran Dikti 152/E/T/2012 telah disikapi pro dan kontra, seolah kebijakan Dikti merupakan tagihan pada sisi hilir namun melupakan fakta bahwa menulis bukan sekedar persoalan pada sisi hilir, namun merupakan persoalan hulu sampai dengan hilir yang melibatkan pengalaman, pendidikan dan latihan, dan motivasi sehingga memerlukan kajian secara komprehensif. Menulis merupakan proses mental yang dipengaruhi oleh faktor sosial historis yaitu pengalaman. Latihan, dan motivasi. Menulis bukanlah persoalan sederhana semudah membalikkan telapak tangan, namun menulis menyangkut persoalan kultural. Strategi pengembangan yang dilakukan seharusnya juga mencerminkan adanya aktualisasi ilmu pendidikan antara lain melalui; (1) pengembangan kemampuan menulis sejak dini secara tepat, (2) memberikan motivasi dengan menempatkan menulis sebagai pilihan karir prima, (3) pemerintah memberikan pelayanan primer terstandar seperti memberikan wadah terbitnya berbagai jurnal, (4) revitalisasi pengembangan minat baca, dan (5) menyediakan pendidikan dan latihan menulis yang memadai. Edaran Dikti 152/E/T/2012 harus dipandang sebagai langkah awal yang baik dan menjadi bagian koheren dari strategi pengembangan budaya menulis yang transformatif

When Small Words Foretell Academic Success: The Case of College Admissions Essays

Abstract The smallest and most commonly used words in English are pronouns, articles, and other function words. Almost invisible to the reader or writer, function words can reveal ways people think and approach topics. A computerized text analysis of over 50,000 college admissions essays from more than 25,000 entering students found a coherent dimension of language use based on eight standard function word categories. The dimension, which reflected the degree students used categorical versus dynamic language, was analyzed to track college grades over students&apos; four years of college. Higher grades were associated with greater article and preposition use, indicating categorical language (i.e., references to complexly organized objects and concepts). Lower grades were associated with greater use of auxiliary verbs, pronouns, adverbs, conjunctions, and negations, indicating more dynamic language (i.e., personal narratives). The links between the categorical-dynamic index (CDI) and academic performance hint at the cognitive styles rewarded by higher education institutions

Changes in global ocean bottom properties and volume transports in CMIP5 models under climate change scenarios

Changes in bottom temperature, salinity and density in the global ocean by 2100 for CMIP5 climate models are investigated for the climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The mean of 24 models shows a decrease in density in all deep basins except the North Atlantic which becomes denser. The individual model responses to climate change forcing are more complex: regarding temperature, the 24 models predict a warming of the bottom layer of the global ocean; in salinity, there is less agreement regarding the sign of the change, especially in the Southern Ocean. The magnitude and equatorward extent of these changes also vary strongly among models. The changes in properties can be linked with changes in the mean transport of key water masses. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation weakens in most models and is directly linked to changes in bottom density in the North Atlantic. These changes are due to the intrusion of modified Antarctic Bottom Water, made possible by the decrease in North Atlantic Deep Water formation. In the Indian, Pacific and South Atlantic, changes in bottom density are congruent with the weakening in Antarctic Bottom Water transport through these basins. We argue that the greater the 1986-2005 meridional transports, the more changes have propagated equatorwards by 2100. However, strong decreases in density over 100 years of climate change cause a weakening of the transports. The speed at which these property changes reach the deep basins is critical for a correct assessment of the heat storage capacity of the oceans as well as for predictions of future sea level rise

Muscle RANK is a key regulator of calcium storage, SERCA activity, and function of fast-twitch skeletal muscles

Receptor-activator of nuclear factor kB (RANK), its ligand RANKL and the soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG)are the key regulators of osteoclast differentiation and bone remodeling. Here we show that RANK is also expressed in fully differentiated myotubes and skeletal muscle. Muscle RANK deletion (RANKmko) has inotropic effects in denervated, but not in sham, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle preventing the loss of maximum specific force while promoting muscle atrophy, fatigability and increased proportion of fast-twitch fibers. In denervated EDL muscles, RANK deletion markedly increased stromal interaction molecule 1 (Stim1) content, a calcium sensor, and altered activity of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) modulating Ca2+ storage. Muscle RANK deletion had no significant effects on the sham or denervated slow-twitch soleus (Sol) muscles. These data identify a novel role for RANK as a key regulator of calcium storage and SERCA activity, ultimately affecting denervated skeletal muscle function