Acquisition Activity in the United Kingdom: Parametric and Semi-Parametric Estimation

In this article we attempt to identify the nancial characteristics of takeover targets in UK using the period 1982-1990. The study analyses the relationship between bidders and targets, and targets and non-targets over two distinct sub-periods, 1982-1985 and 1986-1990 which are viewed as being homogenous. The rst period followed a deep recession which followed a distinct shift in Macroeconomic Policy after 1979. The second period was associated with nancial liberalisation in 1986 and the freeing up of Monetary policy that followed the Stock Market Crash in 1987. To facilitate this analysis, two bi-variate Logit models are estimated over each sub-period and over the period as a whole. The above models are used to test whether Merger and Acquisition behaviour has changed by under- taking a Likelihood Ratio based analogue of the Chow test. A General Modelling strategy is adopted to select variables as a mechanism for pre- cluding inconsistency and reducing the impact of collinearity. Comparison is also made with a semi-parametric estimator

A Bacterial Acetyltransferase Destroys Plant Microtubule Networks and Blocks Secretion

The eukaryotic cytoskeleton is essential for structural support and intracellular transport, and is therefore a common target of animal pathogens. However, no phytopathogenic effector has yet been demonstrated to specifically target the plant cytoskeleton. Here we show that the Pseudomonas syringae type III secreted effector HopZ1a interacts with tubulin and polymerized microtubules. We demonstrate that HopZ1a is an acetyltransferase activated by the eukaryotic co-factor phytic acid. Activated HopZ1a acetylates itself and tubulin. The conserved autoacetylation site of the YopJ / HopZ superfamily, K289, plays a critical role in both the avirulence and virulence function of HopZ1a. Furthermore, HopZ1a requires its acetyltransferase activity to cause a dramatic decrease in Arabidopsis thaliana microtubule networks, disrupt the plant secretory pathway and suppress cell wall-mediated defense. Together, this study supports the hypothesis that HopZ1a promotes virulence through cytoskeletal and secretory disruption

Preschool teachers’ perceptions about TPACK in Greek educational context

Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) is considered a promising theoretical framework for understanding the knowledge teachers require for effective ICT integration. This study investigates the perceptions of 147 Greek in-service preschool teachers about their knowledge and skills regarding ICT integration in their educational practices. In this context, a scale of 28 items was used to record teachers’ perceptions according to the seven domains of the TPACK model. The validity and the reliability of the scale used were established. Moreover, the findings revealed that preschool teachers have satisfactory perceived self-efficacy for the integration of ICT in all seven domains of TPACK. Teachers’ age, teaching experience, and educational level seem to explain the perceived self-efficacy for ICT integration. The ICT teacher training program about ICT integration in classroom practices is indicated as the basic factor for integrating ICT in teaching. Implications for preschool teacher professional development are discussed. © 2021, Beijing Normal University

The determinants of merger and acquisition activity in the United Kingdom Parametric and semi-parametric estimation

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:3597.1508(00-06) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus

Objective: The mechanisms underlying the shift from acute tinnitus to chronic remain obscure. An association between tinnitus and medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) reflex dysfunction has been hypothesised by several studies. The differences between participants with acute and chronic tinnitus have not yet been investigated. Design: Participants were examined with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) suppression elicited by contralateral white noise. They were compared in terms of frequency regions with non-recordable DPOAEs, suppression amplitudes and the presence of DPOAE enhancement. Study sample: Eighteen participants with acute tinnitus, 40 age-matched adults with chronic tinnitus and 17 controls were included. All participants (aged 34.7 ± 9.6years; mean ± Standard deviation) had normal hearing. Tinnitus was bilateral in 22 participants and unilateral in 36. Results: Ears with chronic tinnitus presented significantly lower DPOAE suppression amplitudes than ears with acute tinnitus (p < 0.0001). Both acute and chronic tinnitus ears present a high prevalence of enhancement, significantly different from controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively). Non-recordable DPOAEs were significantly more frequent in the chronic than in the acute tinnitus and control groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The differences between study groups indicate that when tinnitus becomes chronic, DPOAEs suppression presents changes that might reveal corresponding steps in tinnitus pathophysiology. Treatment implications are discussed. © 2017 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society

Enhancing wayfinding in pre-school children through robot and socio-cognitive conflict

Wayfinding is one of the most important skills that children have to learn in order to safely move in the environment. One problem that 5\u2010year\u2010old children encounter with wayfinding is changing their point of view to that of another person in different position in the same environment, such as that of a person opposite them whose perspective is turned 180\ub0 with respect to their own. Robots could help children in learning this skill, since children can instruct them to move in the environment, in predetermined paths, by starting from a rotated perspective. This study compares classic socio\u2010cognitive conflict with a human partner, but in this case with a robot partner, in order to evaluate how a specific activity (instructing a robot to perform a given route) enhances the wayfinding skills of 156 5\u2010year\u2010old children. Using two different robots (humanoid and non\u2010humanoid) and two different conditions (a child and the robot and two children and the robot), the study shows that children who performed the task with the humanoid robot improved their performance significantly better compared with those who used the non\u2010humanoid robot. Furthermore, children engaged in the Socio\u2010Cognitive Conflict situation with another child\u2010outperformed children in the Socio\u2010Cognitive Conflict with robots. Finally, children with low\u2010level performance in the pretest made the greatest improvement both in terms of moves made and time taken to complete the task in comparison with children in the High\u2010Level Group and of the Control Group