Is More Always Better? An Exploration of the Differential Effects of Functional Integration on Performance in New Product Development

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Multiregional and Intertemporal Age Modelling Via GEMPACK

The past few years have seen increasing use of multiregional and intertemporal (that is, forward-looking) applied general equilibrium (AGE) models. These models share the characteristic of rapidly expanding dimensions. Because multilateral trade models increase in size with the square of the number of regions and intertemporal models increase in proportion to the number of time periods, they can be very difficult to solve purely because of their size. This paper considers three recent models of these kinds, namely, GTAP, the Global Trade Analysis Project's multiregional model of the world; MRES, a multiregional forecasting model of Australia; and ORANI-INT, an intertemporal model of the Austredian economy. Each of these has been implemented using the GEMPACK suite of general-purpose economic modelling software. In this paper we discuss features of GEMPACK which are especially relevant for multiregional and/or intertemporal models. These include an automatic facility to condense models to a manageable size; separation of theory, data, and closure/shocks; automatic creation of updated (that is, post-simulation) data flies; and a solver that is well suited to intertemporal models with substantial elements of forward-looking behaviour. Each feature is illustrated via references to one or more of the three models mentioned above

Close genetic linkage between X linked retinitis pigmentosa and a restriction fragment length polymorphism identified by recombinant DNA probe L1.28

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of retinal degeneration characterized by progressive visual field loss, night blindness and pigmentary retinopathy. Its prevalence is in the region of 1-2 in 5,000 of the general population, making it one of the commoner causes of blindness in early and middle life. Although 36-48% of RP patients are isolated cases, the remainder show autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked modes of inheritance. The X-linked variety ( XLRP ) is found in 14-22% of RP families in the UK. In the present study, X chromosome-specific recombinant DNA probes which can detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms have been used to localize the XLRP gene(s) to a subregion of the X chromosome using linkage analysis. One of the probes, L1.28, has been shown to be closely linked to XLRP in five kindreds, with 95% confidence limits of 0-15 centimorgans (maximum LOD score of 7.89 at a distance of 3 centimorgans). This suggests that the XLRP locus lies on the proximal part of the short arm of the X chromosome. This probe is potentially useful for carrier detection and early diagnosis in about 40% of cases, provided that genetic heterogeneity can be excluded by analysis of further families

Cohort Profile:Scottish Diabetes Research Network Type 1 Bioresource Study (SDRNT1BIO)

No abstract available

A Maritime Advanced Geospatial Intelligence Craft for Oil Spill Response: White Paper

In line with current research thrusts on unmanned systems, the University of New Orleans has formed a collaborative team from industry, academia, and government (e.g., Department of Homeland Security). UNO’s intent is to work with organizations such as the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to experiment and demonstrate the potential offered by Unmanned Surface Vessels within the Gulf of Mexico

A Maritime Advanced Geospatial Intelligence Craft for Oil Spill Response: White Paper

In line with current research thrusts on unmanned systems, the University of New Orleans has formed a collaborative team from industry, academia, and government (e.g., Department of Homeland Security). UNO’s intent is to work with organizations such as the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to experiment and demonstrate the potential offered by Unmanned Surface Vessels within the Gulf of Mexico

Utility of COVID-19 antigen testing in the emergency department

Background: The BinaxNOW coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Ag Card test (Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough, Inc.) is a lateral flow immunochromatographic point-of-care test for the qualitative detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein antigen. It provides results from nasal swabs in 15 minutes. Our purpose was to determine its sensitivity and specificity for a COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods: Eligible patients had symptoms of COVID-19 or suspected exposure. After consent, 2 nasal swabs were collected; 1 was tested using the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 (ie, the gold standard polymerase chain reaction test) and the second run on the BinaxNOW point of care platform by emergency department staff. Results: From July 20 to October 28, 2020, 767 patients were enrolled, of which 735 had evaluable samples. Their mean (SD) age was 46.8 (16.6) years, and 422 (57.4%) were women. A total of 623 (84.8%) patients had COVID-19 symptoms, most commonly shortness of breath (n = 404; 55.0%), cough (n = 314; 42.7%), and fever (n = 253; 34.4%). Although 460 (62.6%) had symptoms ≤7 days, the mean (SD) time since symptom onset was 8.1 (14.0) days. Positive tests occurred in 173 (23.5%) and 141 (19.2%) with the gold standard versus BinaxNOW test, respectively. Those with symptoms \u3e2 weeks had a positive test rate roughly half of those with earlier presentations. In patients with symptoms ≤7 days, the sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values for the BinaxNOW test were 84.6%, 98.5%, 94.9%, and 95.2%, respectively. Conclusions: The BinaxNOW point-of-care test has good sensitivity and excellent specificity for the detection of COVID-19. We recommend using the BinasNOW for patients with symptoms up to 2 weeks

New genetic loci implicated in fasting glucose homeostasis and their impact on type 2 diabetes risk.

Levels of circulating glucose are tightly regulated. To identify new loci influencing glycemic traits, we performed meta-analyses of 21 genome-wide association studies informative for fasting glucose, fasting insulin and indices of beta-cell function (HOMA-B) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in up to 46,186 nondiabetic participants. Follow-up of 25 loci in up to 76,558 additional subjects identified 16 loci associated with fasting glucose and HOMA-B and two loci associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. These include nine loci newly associated with fasting glucose (in or near ADCY5, MADD, ADRA2A, CRY2, FADS1, GLIS3, SLC2A2, PROX1 and C2CD4B) and one influencing fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (near IGF1). We also demonstrated association of ADCY5, PROX1, GCK, GCKR and DGKB-TMEM195 with type 2 diabetes. Within these loci, likely biological candidate genes influence signal transduction, cell proliferation, development, glucose-sensing and circadian regulation. Our results demonstrate that genetic studies of glycemic traits can identify type 2 diabetes risk loci, as well as loci containing gene variants that are associated with a modest elevation in glucose levels but are not associated with overt diabetes