MEASURING MARKET POWER WITH VARIABLES OTHER THAN PRICE

Beef packing has become an extremely concentrated industry, yet studies have found that little, if any market power exists. We propose and test alternative measures of behavior that may better describe how packers control purchases from feedlots, using confidential data collected by the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.Marketing,

MARKET POWER IN BEEF PACKING: FEEDLOT "CAPTURE" AND ITS CAUSES

Concentration in the beef packing industry has been rising for the past 25 years. Many studies of market power in beef packing are based on the conjectural variations framework, which depends on accurate estimates of packer input and processing costs. We propose an alternative measure of packer behavior which does not rely on estimates of packer costs. We also suggest how this measure could be used to draw tentative conclusions regarding packer behavior.Agribusiness, Marketing,

THE IRANIAN MARITIME CHALLENGE

Iran is the leading challenge to the United States and its partners and allies in the Middle East. Nowhere is this challenge more pronounced than in the maritime domain, where Iran’s naval power continues to dwarf that of its neighbors in the Persian Gulf. This thesis explores the threat Iran poses by examining the extensive maritime capabilities of its two navies, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) and the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN), and how those forces have employed their capabilities in past aggressive behavior. The thesis highlights three primary cases to that end: Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping during the Tanker War, the brief hostage-taking of U.S. Sailors near Farsi Island, and the repeated use of harassment tactics and sabotage operations. Through those cases studies, a broader assessment is made regarding the degree of Iran’s ability to use its capabilities to close the Strait of Hormuz for an extended period and its ability to effectively employ kinetic swarm attacks against the U.S. Navy. This study concludes with some recommendations for the U.S. Navy on ways to better plan for, and counter, Iran’s likely tactical pathways of aggression at sea.Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Analysis of the Molecular Mechanisms Governing FCγ Receptor Activation on the Surfaces of Macrophages by Advanced Optical Microscopy

Therapeutic antibodies are achieving new levels of therapeutic success in treating cancers and immunological disorders by antibody engagement of Fc receptor-directed immune responses. Conversely, inhibiting autoantibody induced Fc receptor activation is an attractive approach to treat autoimmune diseases. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies are often the principal subclass used in therapeutic antibodies and associated with autoimmune pathologies because of their long circulation and potent effector functions, including activation of the Fcγ Receptor (FcγR). Thus, a thorough understanding of the FcγR activation is required to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies and to mitigate autoimmunities. It is well established that FcγR clustering is required for activation, yet the minimum number of FcγRs and the spatial characteristics of this activation remain incompletely understood. In this dissertation, sophisticated microscopy methods were employed to elucidate how IgG binding to FcγRs changes their diffusion, membrane topographical environment and the recruitment of the essential kinase Syk. Additionally, this dissertation uses single particle tracking methods (SPT) to examine FcγR cluster valency and activation. Major findings from this work include demonstration that clustering of five FcγRs is sufficient for activation on endosomes, but not the plasma membrane. The findings of this dissertation also provide insights into the mechanisms of action of an FcγR inhibitor for IgG-mediated autoimmune diseases that binds three FcγRs. Together, this work represents significant new insights into FcγR activation that may contribute to the field of basic immunology and may impact immunotherapy design strategy

A phenomenological study of how biblical spiritual disciplines influence women\u27s character and leadership practices in Christian faith-based institutions in higher education in North America

As Christian faith-based institutions of higher education strive to uphold Christian values, there is a need to be intentional in identifying and developing future leaders. This study was viewed through the lens that women are underrepresented in senior-level positions in Christian institutions, they have unique leadership attributes to offer, and learning more from their lived experiences might increase the number of women in senior-level roles in Christian institutions of higher education. is study utilized a qualitative phenomenological research design. The researcher interviewed 8 Christian women leaders who serve as Deans in institutions that are full members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The interviews were conducted face-to- face and virtually using a semi-structured interview protocol comprising of 11 questions. The questions explored the lived experiences and perceptions of these Christian women leaders. Three conclusions resulted from this study. First, prayer, study, and meditation were the most influential of the 12 spiritual disciplines. Second, spiritual disciplines may have a transformative effect on the character and leadership practices of women leaders in Christian higher education. Third, faith was integrated into the identity and daily practices of these Christian women leaders. he researcher recommended that Christian women leaders in higher education must prioritize, or “make time,” for regular practice of the spiritual disciplines, particularly prayer, study, and meditation. The practice of spiritual disciplines, or the Christian way of life, should be incorporated into professional development and mentorship opportunities for Christian women leaders

The Public\u27s Perception of Medical Ultrasound

Ultrasound (sonography) is a primary imaging modality predominantly used in the Diagnostic Radiology department to aid in the findings of internal pathological conditions. Sonography has been used for medical diagnosis since the early 1970’s; however, in comparison to other imaging modalities, it is relatively young and evolving. Since Ian Donald’s discovery in obstetrical ultrasound, there has been a significant growth in Maternal and Fetal Medicine as well as an explosion in the use of non-medical obstetrical imaging, better known as keepsake or entertainment ultrasound. Unlike all other imaging examinations, in obstetrics, family members accompany the patient for viewing where the sonographer can provide narrative on the fetal anatomic structures but not give a diagnosis. The sonographer does not interpret or make the diagnosis of the case, therefore they can not share any results with the patient. Ultrasound’s historical and progressive development of use, slow development of formal education, lack of requirement of national certification, and minimal research to support any bioeffects when used for medical purposes, stereotypes of what the role of ultrasound is and the role of the sonographer stereotypes are in existence. Derived from these stereotypes, a survey was designed to assess the public’s understanding and perception of diagnostic medical ultrasound and the role of the sonographer. The responses from the survey contradicted the researchers’ hypothesis; however, results indicate the opportunity to improve the public’s knowledge.https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/research_posters2021/1006/thumbnail.jp

The Ban on the Use of Chimpanzees in Biomedical Research and Testing in the UK Should Be Made Permanent and Legally Binding

The Coalition Government is currently considering how to transpose Directive 2010/63/EU on animal experimentation into UK law. The Directive bans the use of Great Apes in laboratories, but EU Member States can seek (now or, more likely, at some time in the future) a derogation from the Commission to permit such use, where this is considered essential for the preservation of the species in question or in relation to an unexpected outbreak of a life-threatening or debilitating clinical condition in human beings. Currently, the policy of the Government is not to approve any experiments on Great Apes, but it is possible that, at some time in the future, researchers might ask the then Government to seek permission via the derogation clause. The BUAV and FRAME jointly urge the Government to put this issue beyond doubt, by making the ban on experiments on Great Apes permanent and legally binding, as would be permitted by Article 2.1 of the Directive. This would be entirely justifiable on ethical, scientific, logistic and economic grounds, as outlined in the supporting information below. Eliminating the possibility of Great Ape experiments would be accepted, indeed welcomed, by both the scientific and the animal welfare communities