A model of management teams

Management;Decision Making

BAFF activation of the ERK5 MAP kinase pathway regulates B cell survival

B cell activating factor (BAFF) stimulation of the BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) is essential for the homeostatic survival of mature B cells. Earlier in vitro experiments with inhibitors that block MEK 1 and 2 suggested that activation of ERK 1 and 2 MAP kinases is required for BAFF-R to promote B cell survival. However, these inhibitors are now known to also inhibit MEK5, which activates the related MAP kinase ERK5. In the present study, we demonstrated that BAFF-induced B cell survival was actually independent of ERK1/2 activation but required ERK5 activation. Consistent with this, we showed that conditional deletion of ERK5 in B cells led to a pronounced global reduction in mature B2 B cell numbers, which correlated with impaired survival of ERK5-deficient B cells after BAFF stimulation. ERK5 was required for optimal BAFF up-regulation of Mcl1 and Bcl2a1, which are prosurvival members of the Bcl-2 family. However, ERK5 deficiency did not alter BAFF activation of the PI3-kinase-Akt or NF-κB signaling pathways, which are also important for BAFF to promote mature B cell survival. Our study reveals a critical role for the MEK5-ERK5 MAP kinase signaling pathway in BAFF-induced mature B cell survival and homeostatic maintenance of B2 cell numbers

Benchmark priors for Bayesian models averaging

In contrast to a posterior analysis given a particular sampling model, posterior model probabilities in the context of model uncertainty are typically rather sensitive to the specification of the prior. In particular, 'diffuse' priors on model-specific parameters can lead to quite unexpected consequences. Here we focus on the practically relevant situation where we need to entertain a (large) number of sampling models and we have (or wish to use) little or no subjective prior information. We aim at providing an 'automatic' or 'benchmark' prior structure that can be used in such cases. We focus on the Normal linear regression model with uncertainty in the choice of regressors. We propose a partly noninformative prior structure related to a Natural Conjugate $g$-prior specification, where the amount of subjective information requested from the user is limited to the choice of a single scalar hyperparameter $g_{0j}$. The consequences of different choices for $g_{0j}$ are examined. We investigate theoretical properties, such as consistency of the implied Bayesian procedure. Links with classical information criteria are provided. In addition, we examine the finite sample implications of several choices of $g_{0j}$ in a simulation study. The use of the MC$^3$ algorithm of Madigan and York (1995), combined with efficient coding in Fortran, makes it feasible to conduct large simulations. In addition to posterior criteria, we shall also compare the predictive performance of different priors. A classic example concerning the economics of crime will also be provided and contrasted with results in the literature. The main findings of the paper will lead us to propose a 'benchmark' prior specification in a linear regression context with model uncertainty.Bayes factors, Markov chain, Monte Carlo, Posterior odds, Prior elicitation

Statistical Modelling of Fishing Activities in the North Atlantic

This paper deals with the issue of modeling daily catches of fishing boats in the Grand Bank fishing grounds. We have data on catches per species for a number of vessels collected by the European Union in the context of the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Many variables can be thought to influence the amount caught: a number of ship characteristics (such as the size of the ship, the fishing technique used, the mesh size of the nets, etc.), are obvious candidates, but one can also consider the season or the actual location of the catch. In all, our database leads to 23 possible regressors, resulting in a set of 8:4£106 possible linear regression models. Prediction of future catches and posterior inference will be based on Bayesian model averaging, using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo Model Composition (MC3) approach. Particular attention is paid to the elicitation of the prior and the prediction of catch for single and aggregated observations.

A Tax-Based Approach to Slowing Global Climate Change

In this paper, we discuss the design of carbon dioxide (CO2) taxes at the domestic and international level and the choice of taxes versus a cap-and-trade system. A strong case can be made for taxes on uncertainty, fiscal, and distributional grounds, though this critically hinges on policy specifics and how revenues are used. The efficient near-term tax is at least $5–$20 per ton of CO2 and the tax should be imposed upstream with incentives for downstream sequestration and abatement of other greenhouse gases. At the international level, a key challenge is the possibility that emissions taxes might be undermined through offsetting changes in other energy policies.Global climate change, CO2 tax, cap-and-trade, policy design

Three teratocephalid nematodes from Iran

Trois espèces de Tératocephalides, #Teratocephalus lirellus, #Euteratocephalus palustris et #Metateratocephalus crassidens ont été récoltées dans la rhizosphère de plantes sauvages et cultivées dans la Province d'Hamadan dans l'Ouest de l'Iran. Deux populations iraniennes de #T. lirellus sont comparées avec une population belge en culture. L'étude de ces espèces en microscopie photonique et électronique a produit de nouvelles informations intéressantes. Des photos en microscopie électronique à balayage de zones fracturées de la cuticule d'#E. palustris ont montré des structures intracuticulaires plus ou moins en forme de fleur, structures qui ressemblent à celles identifiées chez #Achromadora micoletzkyi et #A. semiarmata. #Euteratocephalus spiraloides est synonymisé avec #E. palustris$. Ces espèces sont identifiées pour la première fois en Iran. (Résumé d'auteur

A detailed morphological study of Acromoldavicus skrjabini (Nesterov and Lisetskaya, 1965) Nesterov, 1970 (Nematoda : Cephaloboidea) from Iran and Spain

#Acromoldavicus skrjabini (Nesterov et Lisetskaya, 1965) Nesterov, 1970 a été récolté dans la rhizosphère de plantes sauvages et cultivées du nord et du nord-est de l'Iran. L'étude en microscopie photonique et électronique à balayage de ces spécimens et de trois femelles provenant d'Espagne a apporté des données nouvelles sur la morphologie de la partie antérieure, en particulier sur les "pièces de protection" et les amphides. Le stoma est très différent de celui des #Cephalobidae et représente une variation dérivée très prononcée du stoma typique de cette famille. Manquant d'information sur le genre #Kirjanovia - un synonyme éventuel - le genre #Acromoldavicus est provisoirement accepté dans la sous-famille des #Kirjanoviinae, elle-même toutefois transférée dnas les #Elaphonematidae. (Résumé d'auteur

The reaction 2H(p,pp)n in three kinematical configurations at E_p = 16 MeV

We measured the cross sections of the $^2$H(p,pp)n breakup reaction at E$_p$=16 MeV in three kinematical configurations: the np final-state interaction (FSI), the co-planar star (CST), and an intermediate-star (IST) geometry. The cross sections are compared with theoretical predictions based on the CD Bonn potential alone and combined with the updated 2$\pi$-exchange Tucson-Melbourne three-nucleon force (TM99'), calculated without inclusion of the Coulomb interaction. The resulting excellent agreement between data and pure CD Bonn predictions in the FSI testifies to the smallness of three-nucleon force (3NF) effects as well as the insignificance of the Coulomb force for this particular configuration and energy. The CST also agrees well whereas the IST results show small deviations between measurements and theory seen before in the pd breakup space-star geometries which point to possible Coulomb effects. An additional comparison with EFT predictions (without 3NF) up to order N$^3$LO shows excellent agreement in the FSI case and a rather similar agreement as for CD Bonn in the CST and IST situations.Comment: 20 pages, 11 figure

Terrestrial nematodes of the Galapagos archipelago : 3. Aenigmenchu floreanae gen. n., sp. n., a puzzling new secernentean (Diplogasterida : Tylopharyngidae ?)

Description est donnée d'#Aenigmenchus floreanae gen. n., sp. n., provenant de l'île de Floreana, Galapagos, Equateur. Il est apparemment proche de #Tylopharynx, mais en diffère par un "stylet" minuscule (2,5-3,5 um), un pharynx très mince, une branche génitale femelle postérieure rudimentaire et la présence de quatre papilles génitales seulement chez le mâle. La forme générale et les proportions du corps ressemblent à celles des Tylenchidae, tandis que les spicules rappellent ceux des Cephalobidae. L'ouverture de l'amphide consiste en un pore minuscule et le "stylet" est si petit que sa structure exacte demeure incertaine. (Résumé d'auteur

Dynamics of core and occasional species in the marine plankton: tintinnid ciliates in the north-west Mediterranean Sea

International audienceTo assess short-term variability in the community composition and community structure of tintinnid ciliates, herbivores of the microzooplankton. Location North-west Mediterranean Sea. We sampled on 18 dates over a 4-week period in 2004 at an openwater site. Species were classified as 'core species', found on every date, or 'occasional species', absent on one or more dates. Species abundance distributions of the entire community, and separately the core and occasional species, were compared with geometric, log-series and log-normal distributions. Core and occasional species were compared in terms of the shell or lorica oral diameter (LOD), analogous to gape size. We found 11 core and 49 occasional species. Diversity metrics were stable compared with shifts in abundances. Core species accounted for the majority of individuals in all samples. On each date, 9-22 occasional species, representing 10-15% of the population, were found. Species richness of the occasionals was positively related to population size. The identities of the occasional species found were unrelated to the time between sampling. The species abundance distribution of the occasional population was best fit by a log-series distribution, while that of the core species was best fit by a log-normal distribution. The species abundance distribution of the entire community was best fit by a log-series distribution. Most of the occasional species had LODs distinct from that of a core species and occupied size classes left empty by the core population. However, the most abundant and frequent of the occasional species had a LOD similar to that of a core species. Among tintinnids, which are planktonic protists, occasional species have a species abundance distribution pattern distinct from that of core species. Occasional species appeared to be composed of two groups, one of relatively abundant species and similar to core species, and a second group of ephemeral species with morphologies distinct from core species. The existence of two categories of occasional or rare species may be common: (1) those similar to, and thus perhaps able to replace, dominant species in the absence of a change in the environment; and (2) those distinct from dominant species and requiring different conditions to prosper