A Panel of Price Indices for Housing, Other Goods, and All Goods for All Areas in the United States 1982-2008

This paper produces a panel of price indices for housing, other produced goods, and all produced goods for each metropolitan area in the United States and the non-metropolitan part of each state from 1982 through 2008 that can be used for estimating behavioral relationships, studying the workings of markets, and assessing differences in the economic circumstances of people living in different areas. Our general approach is to first produce cross-sectional price indices for a single year 2000 and then use BLS time-series price indices to create the panel. Our geographic housing price index for 2000 is based on a large data set with detailed information about the characteristics of dwelling units and their neighborhoods throughout the United States that enables us to overcome many shortcomings of existing interarea housing price indices. For most areas, our price index for all goods other than housing is calculated from the price indices for categories of non-housing goods produced each quarter by the Council for Community and Economic Research. In order to produce a non-housing price index for areas of the United States not covered by their index, we estimate a theoretically-based regression model explaining differences in the composite price index for non-housing goods for areas where it is available and use it to predict a price of other goods for the uncovered areas. The overall consumer price index for all areas is based on the preceding estimates of the price of housing and other goods. The paper also discusses existing interarea price indices available to researchers, and it compares the new housing price index with housing price indices based on alternative methods using the same data and price indices based on alternative data sets. Electronic versions of the price indices are available online.Interarea price indices, interarea housing price indices, geographic cost-of-living differences, geographic price differences

The relation between the action of vitamin E and protein in the body, and the influence of various fish-liver oils in the diet upon vitamin E activity in vivo

The experiments reported here were undertaken primarily to investigate further the histological changes occurring in the enamel organ of the rat’s incisor tooth during vitamin E deficiency. These changes were originally described by Irving (1942) and have been confirmed in general by Granados, Mason & Dam (1945, 1946) and by Pindborg (7950, 1952). It was, however, found by the present writers, usinga diet based on that of Gillman, Gilbert, Gillman & Spence (1952), that extreme changes in the enamel organ, avertable by vitamin E, could be produced in 21 days or less, whereas the changes described by the other authors took much longer to develop and were less extensive. In an attempt to determine further the effects of other dietary factors upon the enamel organ, certain additional findings seemed to be of significance. The present paper is concerned chiefly with these, and an account of the histological aspect is being prepared for publication. In particular it was found that the vitamin content of the oil containing highly unsaturated fatty acids was of importance and also that the actions of protein and vitamin E, which superficially appeared similar, differed in certain fundamental respectsKIM2017https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/div-classtitlethe-relation-between-the-action-of-vitamin-e-and-protein-in-the-body-and-the-influence-of-various-fish-liver-oils-in-the-diet-upon-vitamin-e-activity-in-vivodiv/C6F1ED8366757D1725B07106117DEB6

Immunisation coverage and its associations in rural Tanzanian infants

Introduction: In Tanzania, vaccination rates (VRs) range from 80% to 90% for standard vaccines, but little information is available about rural populations and nomadic pastoralists. This study investigates levels and trends of the immunisation status of infants at eight mobile reproductive-and-child-health (RCH) clinics in a rural area in northern Tanzania (with a large multi-tribal population that has a significant population of nomadic pastoralists) for the years 1998, 1999, 2006 and 2007. In addition, the influence of tribal affiliation and health system-related factors on the immunisation status in this population is analysed. Methods: Vaccination data of 3868 infants for the standard bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and measles vaccines were obtained from the RCH clinic records retrospectively, and coverage for both single vaccines and full vaccination by the end of first year of life were calculated. These results were correlated with data on predominant tribal affiliation at the clinic site, skilled attendance at birth, service provision and vaccine availability as independent variables.Results: In 1998, the full vaccination rate (FVR) across all RCH clinics was 72%, significantly higher than in the other years (1999: 58%; 2006: 58%; 2007: 57%) (p 80% was only achieved at one clinic during 3 years. No clinic showed a consistent increase of VRs over time. In univariate analysis, predominant tribal affiliation (Datoga tribe) was associated with a low FVR (odds ratio (OR) 4.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8–5.5)), as were low rates of skilled attendance at birth (OR 3.6 (CI 2.9–4.4)). Other health system-related factors associated with low FVRs included interruption of scheduled monthly immunisation clinics (OR 9.8 (CI 2.1–45.5)) and lack of vaccines (OR 1.2–2.9, depending on vaccine). In multivariate analysis, predominant Datoga tribal affiliation and lack of vaccines retained their association with the risk of low rates of vaccination. Conclusions: Vaccination rates in this difficult-to-reach population are markedly lower than the national average for almost all years and clinics. Affiliation to the nomadic Datoga tribe and lack of vaccines determine VRs in this rural population. Improvements in immunisation service delivery, vaccine availability, stronger involvement of the nomadic communities and special outreach services for this population are required to improve VRs in these remote areas of Tanzania

Search for low instability strip variables in the young open cluster NGC 2516

In this paper we revise and complete the photometric survey of the instability strip of the southern open cluster NGC 2516 published by Antonello and Mantegazza (1986). No variable stars with amplitudes larger than $0^m.02$ were found. However by means of an accurate analysis based on a new statistical method two groups of small amplitude variables have been disentangled: one with periods $< 0^d.25$ (probably $\delta$ Scuti stars) and one with periods $>0^d.025$. The position in the HR diagram and the apparent time-scale may suggest that the stars of the second group belong to a recently discovered new class of variables, named $\gamma$ Dor variables. They certainly deserve further study. We also present a comparison between the results of the photometric survey and the available pointed ROSAT observations of this cluster.Comment: 7 pages, 2 ps figures. Accepted for P.A.S.

A separability criterion for density operators

We give a necessary and sufficient condition for a mixed quantum mechanical state to be separable. The criterion is formulated as a boundedness condition in terms of the greatest cross norm on the tensor product of trace class operators.Comment: REVTeX, 5 page

Determination of Manganese as the Green Sulphide. 1

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Use of AI to Recreate and Repatriate Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Paintings: The 1785 Parisian Salon Case Study

This study investigates the efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of artwork restoration, focusing on lost, stolen, or destroyed artworks. Employing a dual approach that combines traditional manual restoration techniques with advanced generative AI tools, the research centers on a case study of the 1785 Parisian Salon. It specifically examines the reconstitution of Antoine François Callet\u27s painting, Achilles Dragging the Body of Hector, unveiled alongside Jacques-Louis David\u27s Oath of the Horatii. The study utilizes Easy Diffusion and Stable Diffusion 2.1 technologies for inpainting and colorization processes. These AI tools are employed in concert with manual restoration practices to recreate the Callet painting. The methodology also includes the use of secondary visual materials, such as Pietro Martini\u27s 1785 engraving of the Salon Carré, to inform the AI\u27s trained dataset. The application of generative AI in this context significantly accelerates the restoration process. However, the study identifies a critical issue where successive AI-based inpainting iterations lead to a degradation in color fidelity and detail precision. This degradation is evidenced by the emergence of unintended artifacts and a loss of visual coherence in the restored images. While AI significantly expedites the artwork restoration process, its integration with manual techniques is crucial to mitigate the loss of artistic detail and color accuracy. The study\u27s findings emphasize the need for a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of both AI and traditional restoration methods. This integrative strategy is essential for preserving the original artistic essence of artworks, contributing significantly to the fields of art restoration and digital humanities

Onset of transcription of the aminopeptidase N (leukemia antigen CD 13) gene at the crypt/villus transition zone during rabbit enterocyte differentiation

AbstractThe sequence of a cDNA clone (2.82 kbp) of rabbit intestinal aminopeptidase N (CD 13) is reported. Using the corresponding anti-sense RNA probe, the distribution of aminopeptidase N mRNA along the crypt/villus axis of the rabbit small intestine was studied by in situ hybridization. The aminopeptidase N gene is expressed along the whole length of the villus with a maximum at its base. Expression was not detected in the crypt cells. The distribution of aminopeptidase N mRNA correlates with the presence of active enzyme as monitored by histochemical staining. The results are compatible with onset of transcription of the aminopeptidase N gene at the crypt/villus transition zone during the enterocyte differentiation

DE 1 RIMS operational characteristics

The Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer (RIMS) on the Dynamics Explorer 1 spacecraft observes both the thermal and superthermal (50 eV) ions of the ionosphere and inner magnetosphere. It is capable of measuring the detailed species distribution function of these ions in many cases. It was equipped with an integral electrometer to permit in-flight calibration of the detector sensitivities and variations thereof. A guide to understanding the RIMS data set is given. The reduction process from count rates to physical quantities is discussed in some detail. The procedure used to establish in-flight calibration is described, and results of a comparison with densities from plasma wave measurements are provided. Finally, a discussion is provided of various anomalies in the data set, including changes of channeltron efficiency with time, spin modulation of the axial sensor heads, apparent potential differences between the sensor heads, and failures of the radial head retarding potential sweep and of the -Z axial head aperture plane bias. Studies of the RIMS data set should be conducted only with a thorough awareness of the material presented here, or in collaboration with one of the scientists actively involved with RIMS data analysis

Proteases in Plasma and Kidney of db/db Mice as Markers of Diabetes-Induced Nephropathy

Db/db mice are overweight, dyslipidemic and develop diabetic complications, relevant for similar complications in human type 2 diabetes. We have used db/db and db/+ control mice to investigate alterations in proteinase expression and activity in circulation and kidneys by SDS-PAGE zymography, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and in situ zymography. Plasma from db/db mice contained larger amounts of serine proteinases compared to db/+ mice. Kidneys from the db/db mice had a significantly larger glomerular surface area and somewhat thicker glomerular basement membranes compared to the db/+ mice. Furthermore, kidney extracts from db/+ mice contained metalloproteinases with Mr of approximately 92000, compatible with MMP-9, not observed in db/db mice. These results indicate that higher levels of serine proteinases in plasma may serve as potential markers for kidney changes in db/db mice, whereas a decrease in MMP-9 in the kidney may be related to the glomerular changes