Opinion Leaders in Real Estate Markets

The purpose of this research paper is to examine the influence of opinion leaders in real estate markets. First, we provide a literature review of opinion leaders and real estate markets in India. Secondly, the variables that influence the opinion leaders are established and their measurement is well defined. Thirdly, a survey has been conducted by using a self-administered questionnaire, which was sent to 234 individuals who are responsible for handling real estate firms. The research model is empirically tested in a sample of 128 respondents by using a chi-square analysis. This study finds that opinion leaders in real estate markets possess significantly higher levels in exposure to media sources, social involvement, product knowledge, innovativeness, and computer usage than non-leaders. Opinion leaders also possess a higher degree of social networking and have used the internet more frequently for longer sessions than non-leaders. Finally, we identify the key implications, conclude the research finding and explore potential avenues for future research.Financial leverage; Asset valuation; Taxation

Identification of a first in-class integrin enhancing small molecule for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a catastrophic X-linked neuromuscular disease that affects 1 in every 5000 males. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene which results in the loss of dystrophin protein, an essential link between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton. This leads to weakened sarcolemmal integrity in the muscle fibers thereby making them susceptible to damage. There is currently no cure for DMD and limited treatment options exist for patients. The α7β1 integrin is an additional laminin-binding heterodimeric protein at the sarcolemma that is elevated in the skeletal muscle of DMD patients and the mdx mouse model. Previous pharmacological and transgenic mouse studies have demonstrated that the α7β1 integrin is a major modifier of disease progression in mouse as well as the Golden retriever dog models of muscular dystrophy. Therefore, we hypothesized that drugs that promote α7β1 integrin expression in muscle could be therapeutic in the treatment of DMD. Utilizing a high-throughput drug discovery chemical screen, we identified SU9516, an adenosine mimetic, as an enhancer of ITGA7 expression, the gene encoding integrin α7. We found SU9516 increased α7B integrin protein levels in C2C12 and immortalized human DMD myotubes. Preclinical studies with oral delivery of 5mg/kg/day SU9516 treatments in the mdx mouse model ameliorated the dystrophic pathology and improved muscle force and function at 10 weeks of age. This thesis presents the therapeutic benefits of a first in-class integrin enhancing small molecule therapeutic SU9516, for the treatment of DMD

Synthetic approach towards methyllycaconitine

Organic synthesis, with the invention of new synthetic strategies and technologies, has evolved from largely empirical approaches for the preparation of relatively simple molecules to sophisticated strategies for the construction of molecules with considerable structural and functional complexity. Organic synthesis is employed to synthesize the natural product and its analogs for the discovery of new drugs. The development of new synthetic methodologies in the course of total synthesis is imperative for the efficient synthesis of drug candidates. Apart from the practical applications, the pursuit of efficient syntheses of complex natural products is both gratifying and truly enjoyable.;Chapter One describes the development of annulation reaction for the construction of five-, six- and seven-membered rings. Chapter Two describes a direct approach to the synthesis of methyllycaconitine, a representative of the aconitine alkaloids. The numbering of the compounds, schemes and references are independent in each section

Globalization, regionalization and strategy choices for european airlines

1994 was a year of recovery for the world's airlines, after combined losses for the world's top 100 airlines of $14 billion during the 1990-93 period. Even so, there was a collective net loss in 1994 of$177 million for the top 100 airlines • However, operating profit was $10.9 billion, about 4.5$247.5 billion, and collectively flew 2086 billion RPKs, while offering 3152 billion ASKs on their scheduled services. In this paper we study a cross section of 1994 data for 34 of the worlds largest airlines. We concentrate primarily on operating performance, financial results as well as operating statistics. Clearly, one year's results do not address the whole situation. But 1994 is a useful year to study as it marks the revival of airline industry fortunes after a long recessionary period, and studying how private and state-owned airlines were able to take advantage of industry recovery sheds light on the differences in the two groups of airlines, differences relevant to the deregulation debateinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of a Modeling Framework to Support Control Investigations of Sailcraft Missions A First Cut: ABLE Sailcraft Dynamics Model

Solar Sailcraft, the stuff of dreams of the H.G. Wells generation, is now a rapidly maturing reality. The promise of unlimited propulsive power by harnessing stellar radiation is close to realization. Currently, efforts are underway to build, prototype and test two configurations. These sails are designed to meet a 20m sail requirement, under guidance of the In-Space Propulsion (ISP) technology program office at MSFC. While these sails will not fly , they are the first steps in improving our understanding of the processes and phenomena at work. As part of the New Millennium Program (NMP) the ST9 technology validation mission hopes to launch and fly a solar sail by 2010 or sooner. Though the Solar Sail community has been studying and validating various concepts over two decades, it was not until recent breakthroughs in structural and material technology, has made possible to build sails that could be launched. With real sails that can be tested (albeit under earth conditions), the real task of engineering a viable spacecraft has finally commenced. Since it is not possible to accurately or practically recreate the actual operating conditions of the sailcraft (zero-G, vacuum and extremely low temperatures), much of the work has focused on developing accurate models that can be used to predict behavior in space, and for sails that are 6-10 times the size of currently existing sails. Since these models can be validated only with real test data under "earth" conditions, the process of modeling and the identification of uncertainty due to model assumptions and scope need to be closely considered. Sailcraft models that exist currently, are primarily focused on detailed physical representations at the component level, these are intended to support prototyping efforts. System level models that cut across different sail configurations and control concepts while maintaining a consistent approach are non-existent. Much effort has been focused on the areas of thrust performance, solar radiation prediction, and sail membrane behavior vis-a-vis their reflective geometry, such as wrinkling/folding/furling as it pertains to thrust prediction. A parallel effort has been conducted on developing usable models for developing attitude control systems (ACS), for different sail configurations in different regimes. There has been very little by way of a system wide exploration of the impact of the various control schemes, thrust prediction models for different sail configurations being considered

Climatic Challenges And Environmental Pollution In India

Global climate change is a change in the long-term weather patterns that characterize the regions of the world. The term “weather” refers to the short-term (daily) changes in temperature, wind, and/or precipitation of a region. In the long run, the climatic change could affect agriculture in several ways such as quantity and quality of crops in terms of productivity, growth rates, photosynthesis and transpiration rates, moisture availability etc. Climate change is likely to directly impact food production across the globe. Increase in the mean seasonal temperature can reduce the duration of many crops and hence reduce the yield. In areas where temperatures are already close to the physiological maxima for crops, warming will impact yields more immediately. Drivers of climate change through alterations in atmospheric composition can also influence food production directly by its impact on plant physiology. The consequences of agriculture’s contribution to climate change, and of climate change’s negative impact on agriculture, are severe which is projected to have a great impact on food production and may threaten the food security and hence, require special agricultural measures to combat with. Although India has a rich and long history of environmental laws dating back to the 1970s, it still ranks very low on air and water pollution levels compared to the rest of the world resulting in higher rates of infant mortality and lower life expectancy rates. Poor sanitation conditions and sewage problems compound the problem affecting the health of ordinary citizens in India. The reasons for this disconnect between enlightened environmental laws and high levels of pollution could be traced to existing environmental laws, discrepancies in the environmental guidelines for businesses to follow between the central government and at the state levels, and the existence of a large number of SMEs who neither have the resources nor the technical skills to adhere to the existing environmental laws. Using extensive secondary research, this paper suggests a series of steps to help the country achieve safe air and water pollution levels resulting in improved health conditions for its citizens. The cornerstone of the prescription for improvements in the environment is a collaborative arrangement that brings together the various government agencies, the citizens, SMEs, large domestic companies, and NGOs to participate in a collaborative arrangement to educate, streamline effective policies, develop the necessary institutional infrastructure, and provide adequate funding for improving the environment

Neuromagnetic investigations of mechanisms and effects of STN-DBS and medication in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder cardinally marked by motor symptoms, but also sensory symptoms and several other non-motor symptoms. PD patients are typically treated with dopaminergic medication for several years. Many patients eventually experience bouts of periods where medication might not be able to effectively control symptoms as well as experience side-effects of long-term dopaminergic treatments. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an option as the next therapeutic recourse for such patients. DBS treatment essentially involves placement of stimulating electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or the globus pallidus internum (GPi) along with an implanted pulse generator (IPG) in the sub-clavicular space. STN-DBS alleviates motor symptoms and leads to substantial improvements in quality of life for PD patients. Although DBS is known to improve several classes of symptoms, the effect mechanism of DBS is still not clear. While there is a lack of electrophysiological investigation of sensory processing and the effects of treatments in PD altogether, the electrophysiological studies of the cortical dynamics during motor tasks and at rest lack consensus.We recorded magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electromyography (EMG) from PD patients in three studies: (i) at rest, (ii) during median nerve stimulation, and (iii) while performing phasic contractions (hand gripping). The three studies focused on cortical oscillatory dynamics at rest, during somatosensory processing and during movement, respectively. The measurements were conducted in DBS-treated, untreated (DBS washout) and dopaminergic-medicated states. While both treatments (DBS and dopaminergic medication) ameliorated motor symptoms similarly in all studies, they showed differentiated effects on: (i) increased sensorimotor cortical low-gamma spectral power (31-45 Hz) (but no changes in beta power (13-30 Hz)) at rest only during DBS, (ii) somatosensory processing with higher gamma augmentation (31-45 Hz, 20-60 ms) in the dopaminergic-medicated state compared to DBS-treated and untreated states, and (iii) hand gripping with increased motor-related beta corticomuscular coherence (CMC, 13-30 Hz) during dopaminergic medication in contrast to increased gamma power (31-45 Hz) during DBS.Firstly, we infer from the three studies that DBS and dopaminergic medication employ partially different anatomo-functional pathways and functional strategies when improving PD symptoms. Secondly, we suggest that treatments act on pathological oscillatory dynamics differently at cortical and sub-cortical levels and may do so through more sophisticated mechanisms than mere suppression of the pathological spectral power in a particular band. And thirdly, we urge exploring effect mechanisms of PD treatments beyond the motor system. The effects of dopaminergic medication on early somatosensory processing has opened the door for exploring the effects of treatments and studying their mechanisms using electrophysiology, especially in higher order sensory deficits. Integration of such research findings into a holistic view on mechanisms of treatments could pave way for better disease management paradigms. 

Soil Slope Failure Investigation Management Systems

Highway slopes are exposed to environmental and climatic conditions, such as deforestation, cycles of freezing and thawing weather, heavy storms etc. Over time these climatic conditions can influence slope stability in combination with other factors such as geological formations, slope angle and groundwater conditions. These factors contribute towards causing slope failures that are hazards to highway structures and the traveling public. Consequently, it is crucial to have a soil slope failure investigation management system to track, record, evaluate, analyze and review the soil slope failure data and soil slope remediation data so that cost effective and statistically efficient remedial plans may be developed. This paper presents the framework for developing such a system for The State of Maryland, using a GIS database and a collective overlay of maps to indicate potentially unstable highway slopes through spatial and statistical analysis