Persistence of UK Real Estate returns: a Markov chain analysis

The persistence of investment performance is a topic of perennial interest to investors. Efficient Markets theory tells us that past performance can not be used to predict future performance yet investors appear to be influenced by the historical performance in making their investment allocation decisions. The problem has been of particular interest to investors in real estate; not least because reported returns from investment in real estate are serially correlated thus implying some persistence in investment performance. This paper applies the established approach of Markov Chain analysis to investigate the relationship between past and present performance of UK real estate over the period 1981 to 1996. The data are analysed by sector, region and size. Furthermore some variations in investment performance classification are reported and the results are shown to be robust

ELECTRONIC MARKET USE BY OKLAHOMA LAMB PRODUCERS

Socioeconomic and production system characteristics of a sample of Oklahoma sheep producers were employed to examine the decision to use or not use an electronic market for slaughter lambs. Producer attributes that influence electronic market use were identified with qualitative choice models. The results help identify characteristics of electronic markets which influence their success. The findings also have implications about educational opportunities for cooperative extension.Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing,

Incidence of Gunshot Wounds: Before and After Implementation of a Shall Issue Conceal Carry Law

Introduction. This study examined the incidence of gunshot wounds before and after enacting a conceal carry (CC) law in a predominately rural state. Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who were admitted with a gunshot injury to a Level I trauma center. Patient data collected included demographics, injury details, hospital course, and discharge destination. Results. Among the 238 patients included, 44.6% (n = 107) were admitted during the pre-CC period and 55.4% (n = 131) in the post-CC period. No demographic differences were noted between the two periods except for an increase in uninsured patients from 43.0% vs 61.1% (p = 0.020). Compared to pre-CC patients, post-CC patients experienced a trend toward increased abdominal injury (11.2% vs 20.6%, p = 0.051) and increased vascular injuries (11.2% vs 22.1%, p = 0.026) while lower extremity injuries decreased significantly (38.3% vs 26.0%, p = 0.041). Positive focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exams (2.2% vs 16.8, p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (26.2% vs 42.0%, p = 0.011) and need for ventilator support (11.2% vs 22.1%, p = 0.026) all increased during the post-CC period. In-hospital mortality more than doubled (8.4% vs 18.3%, p = 0.028) across the pre- and post-CC time periods. Conclusion. Implementation of a CC law was not associated with a decrease in the overall number of penetrating injuries or a decrease in mortality

Academic Progress: Factors That Affect a Student’s First Year Experience in College

The transition to higher education can be a journey of life changing experiences. These experiences culminate in factors that affect a student’s academic success. This can lend itself to areas of growth, change, and maturation that cultivate and stimulate the intellectual curiosity which motivate a student to succeed in college. Specifically, this study attempts to measure three factors that affect student success in college; these factors are the formal education of your parents, student work status, and access to the internet

Small Interfering RNA Decreases VEGF mRNA Expression and Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) was first described in 1989 for its angiogenic and mitogenic properties. Early studies indicated that VEGF-A acts primarily in a paracrine pathway which is limited to vascular endothelium. Further investigation showed that VEGF-A and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) are expressed by many solid tumors and improve cell growth and survival. Therefore, VEGF-A may act via an autocrine pathway that effects tumor cellular proliferation by binding VEGFR-2 at the cell surface. This study utilizes small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology to investigate the presence of an autocrine loop in human RKO colorectal cancer cells. RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-D, placental growth factor (PlGF), VEGFR-2, neuropilin-1 (NP-1) and neuropilin-2 (NP-2) in vitro by RKO cells. Transfection with siRNA against VEGF-A resulted in a 94% knockdown of VEGF-A expression by ELISA. Northern blot, quantitative real time PCR and semiquantitative RT-PCR confirmed the knockdown data. In addition, transfected RKO cells showed a 67% decrease in cellular proliferation by WST-1 assay. This data correlated to the ELISA results. In summary, the presence of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 argues in favor of an autocrine loop in human colorectal cancer cells. siRNA targeting of VEGF-A remains a promising anti-tumor therapeutic strategy