Competition and subsidy in commercial shipbuilding

PhD ThesisLimitations in the shipbuilding industry’s understanding of the precise workings of its market have led to difficulties in the prosecution of a subsidy and countervailing measures case in WTO and to obstacles in the furtherance of an international shipbuilding agreement in OECD. Weaknesses stem in particular from lack of precision in the definition of the market, from incomplete understanding of the concept of ‘like product’ as it relates to commercial shipbuilding, and from limited research into cross price elasticity. In this dissertation the nature and boundaries of the market are investigated, leading to a simple definition of the ‘international commercial shipbuilding market’. This differs from existing definitions, for example in OECD and EU, in that it is based on the attributes of the shipbuilder, rather than attributes of the product. A meaning of ‘like product’ that is consistent with WTO case law is defined for commercial shipbuilding, with the conclusion that likeness between products should be determined by competition for the same units of capacity. Technical substitutability of a unit of shipbuilding capacity is analysed in relation to factors that determine competitiveness, concluding that substitutability is wide with few exceptions and that technical aspects of the products are therefore of limited significance in determination of ‘likeness’. Correlation and linear regression are used to demonstrate empirically that cross price elasticity exists in the commercial shipbuilding market, thereby establishing that apparently dissimilar products, such as an LNG tanker and a capesize bulk carrier, may compete for capacity in the same market and can therefore be considered as ‘like products’. The nature of market leaders, pursuing competitiveness through high investment and economies of scale, and the persistence of cycles in demand mean that subsidy and conflict are likely to remain a feature of competition in international commercial shipbuilding. Conclusions presented in this dissertation will assist in the future analysis and definition of such conflicts and hopefully also in resolution. It is hoped that conclusions will also assist in the pursuit of improved governance of the industry at the inter-governmental level

Characteristics of older autistic adults: a systematic review of literature

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects individuals across their lifetime, though the effects of ageing in older adulthood are poorly understood to date. This systematic review assessed six characteristics in older autistic adults (cognitive functioning, co-occurring difficulties, autism symptom severity, social integration, adaptive functioning, language processing). A total of 41 studies met inclusion criteria, 16 of which included autistic adults with intellectual disability, and three were longitudinal in nature. Findings show differing effects of ageing across the six domains. Factors contributing to discrepancies such as age and IQ differences, methodology and healthy survivor effect are discussed. The need for more longitudinal studies to investigate changes across developmental stages alongside other limitations, future directions and clinical implications are discussed

Immunoglobulin variable-region gene mutational lineage tree analysis: application to autoimmune diseases

Lineage trees have frequently been drawn to illustrate diversification, via somatic hypermutation (SHM), of immunoglobulin variable-region (IGV) genes. In order to extract more information from IGV sequences, we developed a novel mathematical method for analyzing the graphical properties of IgV gene lineage trees, allowing quantification of the differences between the dynamics of SHM and antigen-driven selection in different lymphoid tissues, species, and disease situations. Here, we investigated trees generated from published IGV sequence data from B cell clones participating in autoimmune responses in patients with Myasthenia Gravis (MG), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Sjögren's Syndrome (SS). At present, as no standards exist for cell sampling and sequence extraction methods, data obtained by different research groups from two studies of the same disease often vary considerably. Nevertheless, based on comparisons of data groups within individual studies, we show here that lineage trees from different individual patients are often similar and can be grouped together, as can trees from two different tissues in the same patient, and even from IgG- and IgA-expressing B cell clones. Additionally, lineage trees from most studies reflect the chronic character of autoimmune diseases

Legacy radionuclides in cryoconite and proglacial sediment on Orwell Glacier, Signy Island, Antarctica

Cryoconite is a specific type of material found on the surface of glaciers and icesheets. Samples of cryoconite were collected from the Orwell Glacier and its moraines, together with suspended sediment from the proglacial stream on Signy Island, part of the South Orkney Islands, Antarctica. The activity concentrations of certain fallout radionuclides were determined in the cryoconite, moraine and suspended sediment, in addition to particle size composition and %C and %N. For cryoconite samples (n = 5), mean activity concentrations (±1SD) of 137Cs, 210Pbun and 241Am were 13.2 ± 20.9, 66.1 ± 94.0 and 0.32 ± 0.64 Bq kg−1, respectively. Equivalent values for the moraine samples (n = 7) were 2.56 ± 2.75, 14.78 ± 12.44 and <1.0 Bq kg−1, respectively. For the composite suspended sediment sample, collected over 3 weeks in the ablation season, the values (± counting uncertainty) for 137Cs, 210Pbun and 241Am were 2.64 ± 0.88, 49.2 ± 11.9 and <1.0 Bq kg−1, respectively. Thus, fallout radionuclide activity concentrations were elevated in cryoconite relative to moraine and suspended sediment. In the case of 40K, the highest value was for the suspended sediment (1423 ± 166 Bq kg−1). The fallout radionuclides in cryoconite were 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than values in soils collected from other locations in Antarctica. This work further demonstrates that cryoconite likely scavenges fallout radionuclides (dissolved and particulate) in glacial meltwater. In the case of 40K, the greater value in suspended sediment implies a subglacial source. These results are amongst the relatively few that demonstrate the presence of fallout radionuclides in cryoconites at remote locations in the Southern Hemisphere. This work adds to the growing contention that elevated activities of fallout radionuclides, and other contaminants, in cryoconites are a global phenomenon and may be a risk to downstream terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

Expression and cellular localization of hepcidin mRNA and protein in normal rat brain.

BACKGROUND: Hepcidin is a peptide hormone belonging to the defensin family of cationic antimicrobial molecules that has an essential role in systemic iron homeostasis. The peptide is synthesised by hepatocytes and transported in the circulation to target tissues where it regulates the iron export function of the ferrous iron permease, ferroportin. In the brain hepcidin protein has been identified using immuno-histochemistry and mRNA by real-time PCR but not by in situ hybridisation raising the question of whether there is measurable transcription of the hepcidin gene in the central nervous system. Alternatively hepcidin could be transported as a hormone to the brain via the circulation. RESULTS: By RT-PCR hepcidin mRNA was present at low level throughout normal rat brain while in situ hybridisation to detect low-abundant mRNA revealed that transcripts were restricted to endothelium of blood vessels and choroid plexus. In contrast, hepcidin protein analysed by immuno-histochemistry was highly expressed in blood vessels, in endothelium and in pericytes. Hepcidin was also present in glial cells and in the olfactory bulb, sub-ventricular zone and dentate gyrus, areas where neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity are maintained throughout adult life. The hepcidin species identified by Western blotting in sub-ventricular zone, cortex and hippocampus migrated as a ~2.8 kDa band, identical in size to hepcidin present in normal rat serum suggesting that hepcidin in brain was the full-length biologically active 25 amino acid peptide. Hepcidin co-localised with ferroportin in ependymal cells of the sub-ventricular zone and in the corpus callosum consistent with a regulatory role in iron metabolism at these sites. CONCLUSIONS: Hepcidin protein was widely expressed in brain parenchyma while levels of hepcidin gene transcription appeared to be below the limits of detection of the in situ hybridisation probes. This disparity suggests that not all hepcidin in the brain is transcribed in situ and may originate in part outside the brain. The properties of hepcidin as a cationic peptide hormone are reflected in the finding of hepcidin in the walls of blood vessels and in pericytes and glia, cells that may be involved in transporting the peptide into brain interstitium

Reactivity of Tetrel-Functionalized Heptaphosphane Clusters toward Azides

In this work, the reactivity of tetrel-functionalized phosphorus clusters toward organoazides is probed. Clusters (Me3Si)3P7 (1) and (Me3Ge)3P7 (2) were reacted with benzyl azide, phenyl azide, and 4-bromophenyl azide, and it was found that the [RN] (R = benzyl, phenyl, and 4-bromophenyl) unit from the azide inserted into the phosphorus–tetrel bonds on the cluster, accompanied by N2 elimination. Through control of the azide stoichiometry, the mono-, bis-, and tris-inserted products could be observed, consistent with these insertions proceeding in a stepwise manner. The bonding between the amine moieties and clusters was further investigated by computational chemistry, and the findings were consistent with the phosphorus cluster having undergone a formal oxidation. These insertion reactions are a convenient means of accessing Zintl clusters functionalized with exo-nitrogen-bonded moieties, which, to the best of our knowledge, were previously unknown

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Developing the Harvest for Healthy Kids Curriculum

Background: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of diet-related chronic diseases. However, fewer than half of children in the United States consume the recommended amount. Objectives: This article describes the community-based participatory research (CBPR) process used to develop the Harvest for Healthy Kids curriculum. Methods: Harvest for Healthy Kids is a intervention research project designed to increase access to and intake of fruits and vegetables among preschoolers enrolled in Head Start. The curriculum is composed of eight kits, each focusing on a different fruit or vegetable. Results: The Harvest for Healthy Kids curriculum was developed through an iterative process in which Head Start teachers were highly involved. The final product reflects the teachers’ experiences using the curriculum and their suggestions for improving. Conclusions: The CBPR process used to develop the Harvest for Healthy Kids curriculum led to a product that is grounded in theory and practice

Christmas Carols

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