Showing papers by "University of Melbourne published in 2001"
TL;DR: Losartan conferred significant renal benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy, and it was generally well tolerated.
Abstract: Background Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Interruption of the renin–angiotensin system slows the progression of renal disease in patients with type 1 diabetes, but similar data are not available for patients with type 2, the most common form of diabetes. We assessed the role of the angiotensin-II–receptor antagonist losartan in patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy. Methods A total of 1513 patients were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind study comparing losartan (50 to 100 mg once daily) with placebo, both taken in addition to conventional antihypertensive treatment (calcium-channel antagonists, diuretics, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, and centrally acting agents), for a mean of 3.4 years. The primary outcome was the composite of a doubling of the base-line serum creatinine concentration, end-stage renal disease, or death. Secondary end points included a composite of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular causes, proteinuria, and the rate of prog...
6,547 citations
TL;DR: It was concluded that selection on genetic values predicted from markers could substantially increase the rate of genetic gain in animals and plants, especially if combined with reproductive techniques to shorten the generation interval.
Abstract: Recent advances in molecular genetic techniques will make dense marker maps available and genotyping many individuals for these markers feasible. Here we attempted to estimate the effects of ∼50,000 marker haplotypes simultaneously from a limited number of phenotypic records. A genome of 1000 cM was simulated with a marker spacing of 1 cM. The markers surrounding every 1-cM region were combined into marker haplotypes. Due to finite population size (Ne = 100), the marker haplotypes were in linkage disequilibrium with the QTL located between the markers. Using least squares, all haplotype effects could not be estimated simultaneously. When only the biggest effects were included, they were overestimated and the accuracy of predicting genetic values of the offspring of the recorded animals was only 0.32. Best linear unbiased prediction of haplotype effects assumed equal variances associated to each 1-cM chromosomal segment, which yielded an accuracy of 0.73, although this assumption was far from true. Bayesian methods that assumed a prior distribution of the variance associated with each chromosome segment increased this accuracy to 0.85, even when the prior was not correct. It was concluded that selection on genetic values predicted from markers could substantially increase the rate of genetic gain in animals and plants, especially if combined with reproductive techniques to shorten the generation interval.
6,036 citations
TL;DR: A 49% decrease in brain Abeta deposition is reported in a blinded study of APP2576 transgenic mice treated orally for 9 weeks with clioquinol, an antibiotic and bioavailable Cu/Zn chelator, support targeting the interactions of Cu and Zn with Abeta as a novel therapy for the prevention and treatment of AD.
1,403 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors draw together knowledge from a variety of fields to propose that innovation management can be viewed as a form of organisational capability, from which they execute effective innovation processes, leading to innovations in new product, services and processes, and superior business performance results.
Abstract: This paper draws together knowledge from a variety of fields to propose that innovation management can be viewed as a form of organisational capability. Excellent companies invest and nurture this capability, from which they execute effective innovation processes, leading to innovations in new product, services and processes, and superior business performance results. An extensive review of the literature on innovation management, along with a case study of Cisco Systems, develops a conceptual model of the firm as an innovation engine. This new operating model sees substantial investment in innovation capability as the primary engine for wealth creation, rather than the possession of physical assets. Building on the dynamic capabilities literature, an "innovation capability" construct is proposed with seven elements. These are vision and strategy, harnessing the competence base, organisational intelligence, creativity and idea management, organisational structures and systems, culture and climate, and management of technology.
1,341 citations
TL;DR: Moderate alcohol consumption seems to reduce the risk of NAFLD in the severely obese, possibly by reducing insulin resistance and systemic hypertension, features of the metabolic syndrome.
1,290 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that lymphatics can be established in solid tumors and implicates VEGF family members in determining the route of metastatic spread and could be blocked with an antibody specific for V EGF-D.
Abstract: Metastasis to local lymph nodes via the lymphatic vessels is a common step in the spread of solid tumors. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the spread of cancer by the lymphatics, we examined the ability of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D, a ligand for the lymphatic growth factor receptor VEGFR-3/Flt-4, to induce formation of lymphatics in a mouse tumor model. Staining with markers specific for lymphatic endothelium demonstrated that VEGF-D induced the formation of lymphatics within tumors. Moreover, expression of VEGF-D in tumor cells led to spread of the tumor to lymph nodes, whereas expression of VEGF, an angiogenic growth factor which activates VEGFR-2 but not VEGFR-3, did not. VEGF-D also promoted tumor angiogenesis and growth. Lymphatic spread induced by VEGF-D could be blocked with an antibody specific for VEGF-D. This study demonstrates that lymphatics can be established in solid tumors and implicates VEGF family members in determining the route of metastatic spread.
1,203 citations
TL;DR: A new active queue management scheme, random exponential marking (REM), is described that aims to achieve both high utilization and negligible loss and delay in a simple and scalable manner and presents simulation results of its performance in wireline and wireless networks.
Abstract: We describe a new active queue management scheme, random exponential marking (REM), that aims to achieve both high utilization and negligible loss and delay in a simple and scalable manner. The key idea is to decouple the congestion measure from the performance measure such as loss, queue length, or delay. While the congestion measure indicates excess demand for bandwidth and must track the number of users, the performance measure should be stabilized around their targets independent of the number of users. We explain the design rationale behind REM and present simulation results of its performance in wireline and wireless networks.
1,041 citations
TL;DR: The authors investigate a number of techniques for characterizing the Poincare plot geometry in detail and show that they are all measuring linear aspects of the intervals which existing HRV indexes already specify.
Abstract: Heart rate variability (HRV) is concerned with the analysis of the intervals between heartbeats. An emerging analysis technique is the Poincare plot, which takes a sequence of intervals and plots each interval against the following interval. The geometry of this plot has been shown to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy subjects in clinical settings. The Poincare plot is a valuable HRV analysis technique due to its ability to display nonlinear aspects of the interval sequence. The problem is, how does one quantitatively characterize the plot to capture useful summary descriptors that are independent of existing HRV measures? Researchers have investigated a number of techniques: converting the two-dimensional plot into various one-dimensional views; the fitting of an ellipse to the plot shape; and measuring the correlation coefficient of the plot. The authors investigate each of these methods in detail and show that they are all measuring linear aspects of the intervals which existing HRV indexes already specify. The fact that these methods appear insensitive to the nonlinear characteristics of the intervals is an important finding because the Poincare plot is primarily a nonlinear technique. Therefore, further work is needed to determine if better methods of characterizing Poincare plot geometry can be found.
923 citations
TL;DR: Child and adolescent mental health problems are an important public health problem in Australia and the appropriate balance between funding provided for clinical interventions focusing on individual children and families and funding for interventions that focus on populations, requires careful study.
Abstract: Objective: To identify the prevalence of three mental disorders (Depressive Disorder, Conduct Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), the prevalence of mental health problems, the health-related quality of life of those with problems, and patterns of service utilisation of those with and without mental health problems, among 4–17-year-olds in Australia. To identify rates of health-risk behaviours among adolescents with mental health problems.Method: The mental disorders were assessed using the parent-version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV. Parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist to identify mental health problems and standard questionnaires to assess healthrelated quality of life and service use. The Youth Risk Behaviour Questionnaire completed by adolescents was employed to identify health-risk behaviours.Results: Fourteen percent of children and adolescents were identified as having mental health problems. Many of those with mental health problems ha...
913 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that standard PBC is stymied by the presence of unbounded energy dissipation, hence it is applicable only to systems that are stabilizable with passive controllers.
Abstract: Energy is one of the fundamental concepts in science and engineering practice, where it is common to view dynamical systems as energy-transformation devices. This perspective is particularly useful in studying complex nonlinear systems by decomposing them into simpler subsystems that, upon interconnection, add up their energies to determine the full system's behavior. The action of a controller may also be understood in energy terms as another dynamical system. The control problem can then be recast as finding a dynamical system and an interconnection pattern such that the overall energy function takes the desired form. This energy-shaping approach is the essence of passivity-based control (PBC), a controller design technique that is very well known in mechanical systems. Our objectives in the article are threefold. First, to call attention to the fact that PBC does not rely on some particular structural properties of mechanical systems, but hinges on the more fundamental (and universal) property of energy balancing. Second, to identify the physical obstacles that hamper the use of standard PBC in applications other than mechanical systems. In particular, we show that standard PBC is stymied by the presence of unbounded energy dissipation, hence it is applicable only to systems that are stabilizable with passive controllers. Third, to revisit a PBC theory that has been developed to overcome the dissipation obstacle as well as to make the incorporation of process prior knowledge more systematic. These two important features allow us to design energy-based controllers for a wide range of physical systems.
865 citations
TL;DR: The development of executive skills through late childhood and early adolescence is plotted and progress in these skills is interpreted with reference to current neurological and cognitive theory.
Abstract: Although there have been significant theoretical advances in the field of child neuropsychology, developmental features of adolescence have received less attention. Progress in clinical practice is restricted due to a lack of well-standardized, developmentally appropriate assessment techniques. This article addresses these issues in relation to executive skills. These abilities are targeted for 2 reasons: first, because they are often considered to be mature during late childhood and adolescence, despite limited investigation in this age range; and second, because of their central importance to efficient day-to-day functioning. Using a normative sample of 138 children, aged 11.0 to 17.11 years, this article plots the development of executive skills through late childhood and early adolescence and interprets progress in these skills with reference to current neurological and cognitive theory.
TL;DR: This paper presents efficient simulation-based algorithms called particle filters to solve the optimal filtering problem as well as the optimal fixed-lag smoothing problem forJump Markov linear systems.
Abstract: Jump Markov linear systems (JMLS) are linear systems whose parameters evolve with time according to a finite state Markov chain. In this paper, our aim is to recursively compute optimal state estimates for this class of systems. We present efficient simulation-based algorithms called particle filters to solve the optimal filtering problem as well as the optimal fixed-lag smoothing problem. Our algorithms combine sequential importance sampling, a selection scheme, and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. They use several variance reduction methods to make the most of the statistical structure of JMLS. Computer simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms. The problems of on-line deconvolution of impulsive processes and of tracking a maneuvering target are considered. It is shown that our algorithms outperform the current methods.
TL;DR: In this paper, a review establishes realistic yield targets and discusses strategies and tactics to improve complementarity of the two crops by choice of cultivar, sowing time, mechanization, soil and water management, choice and combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers, management of weeds, pests and diseases, and the inclusion of other crops into the system, especially legumes.
TL;DR: For example, the authors found that momentum profits are remarkably stable across subperiods of the entire post-1926 era, and that factor models can explain 95% of winner or loser return variability, but cannot explain their mean returns.
Abstract: Buying recent winners and shorting recent losers guarantees time-varying factor exposures in accordance with the performance of common risk factors during the ranking period. Adjusted for this dynamic risk exposure, momentum profits are remarkably stable across subperiods of the entire post-1926 era. Factor models can explain 95% of winner or loser return variability, but cannot explain their mean returns. Momentum strategies which base winner or loser status on stock-specific return components are more profitable than those based on total returns. Neither industry effects nor cross-sectional differences in expected returns are the primary cause of the momentum phenomenon.
TL;DR: It is found that the mutation in GABRG2 (encoding the γ2-subunit) abolished in vitro sensitivity to diazepam, raising the possibility that endozepines do in fact exist and have a physiological role in preventing seizures.
Abstract: Epilepsies affect at least 2% of the population at some time in life, and many forms have genetic determinants. We have found a mutation in a gene encoding a GABA(A) receptor subunit in a large family with epilepsy. The two main phenotypes were childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and febrile seizures (FS). There is a recognized genetic relationship between FS and CAE, yet the two syndromes have different ages of onset, and the physiology of absences and convulsions is distinct. This suggests the mutation has age-dependent effects on different neuronal networks that influence the expression of these clinically distinct, but genetically related, epilepsy phenotypes. We found that the mutation in GABRG2 (encoding the gamma2-subunit) abolished in vitro sensitivity to diazepam, raising the possibility that endozepines do in fact exist and have a physiological role in preventing seizures.
TL;DR: It is shown that a predominant, functional type of stem cell exists in the periventricular region of the adult brain with the intrinsic ability to generate neural and non-neural cells.
Abstract: The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) contains a population of neural stem cells (NSCs) with properties said to include the generation of non-neural progeny. However, the precise identity, location and potential of the NSC in situ remain unclear. We purified NSCs from the adult mouse brain by flow cytometry, and directly examined the cells' properties. Here we show that one type of NSC, which expresses the protein nestin but only low levels of PNA-binding and HSA proteins, is found in both ependymal and subventricular zones and accounts for about 63% of the total NSC activity. Furthermore, the selective depletion of the population of this stem cell in querkopf mutant mice (which are deficient in production of olfactory neurons) suggests that it acts as a major functional stem cell in vivo. Most freshly isolated NSCs, when co-cultured with a muscle cell line, rapidly differentiated in vitro into myocytes that contain myosin heavy chain (MyHC). This demonstrates that a predominant, functional type of stem cell exists in the periventricular region of the adult brain with the intrinsic ability to generate neural and non-neural cells.
TL;DR: R rape and sexual molestation were the traumatic events most likely to be associated with PTSD, and a high level of Axis 1 co-morbidity was found among those persons with PTSD.
Abstract: Background. We report on the epidemiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the Australian community, including information on lifetime exposure to trauma, 12-month prevalence of PTSD, sociodemographic correlates and co-morbidity. Methods. Data were obtained from a stratified sample of 10641 participants as part of the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being. A modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to determine the presence of PTSD, as well as other DSM-IV anxiety, affective and substance use disorders. Results. The estimated 12-month prevalence of PTSD was 1.33%, which is considerably lower than that found in comparable North American studies. Although females were at greater risk than males within the subsample of those who had experienced trauma, the large gender differences noted in some recent epidemiological research were not replicated. Prevalence was elevated among the never married and previously married respondents, and was lower among those aged over 55. For both men and women, rape and sexual molestation were the traumatic events most likely to be associated with PTSD. A high level of Axis I co-morbidity was found among those persons with PTSD Conclusions. PTSD is a highly prevalent disorder in the Australian community and is routinely associated with high rates of anxiety, depression and substance disorders. Future research is needed to investigate rates among other populations outside the North American continent.
TL;DR: The broad succession of pre-angiosperm floras is documents, the distinctive elements of the Early Cretaceous Gondwanan floras immediately preceding the appearance of angiosperms are highlighted and it is suggested that latitudinal controls strongly influenced the composition of GONDwananFloras through time even in the absence of marine barriers between Gondwana and the northern continents.
Abstract: The concept of 'Gondwana', an ancient Southern Hemisphere supercontinent, is firmly established in geological and biogeographical models of Earth history. The term Gondwana (Gondwanaland of some authors) derives from the recognition by workers at the Indian Geological Survey in the mid- to late 19th century of a distinctive sedimentary sequence preserved in east central India. This succession, now known to range in age from Permian to Cretaceous, is lithologically and palaeontologically similar to coeval non-marine sedimentary successions developed in most of the Southern Hemisphere continents suggesting former continuity of these landmasses. Palaeomagnetic data and tectonic reconstructions suggest that the main assembly of Gondwana took place around the beginning of the Palaeozoic in near-equatorial latitudes and that the supercontinent as a whole shifted into high southern latitudes, allowing widespread glaciation by the end of the Carboniferous. From Carboniferous to Cretaceous times the southern continents had broadly similar floras but some species-level provincialism is apparent at all times. The break-up of Gondwana initiated during the Jurassic (at about 180 million years ago) and this process is continuing. The earliest rifting (crustal attenuation) within the supercontinent initiated in the west (between South America and Africa) and in general terms the rifting pattern propagated eastward with major phases of continental fragmentation in the Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous to Paleogene. Gondwanan floras show radical turnovers near the end of the Carboniferous, end of the Permian and the end of the Triassic that appear to be unrelated to isolation or fragmentation of the supercontinent. Throughout the late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic the high-latitude southern floras maintained a distinctly different composition to the palaeoequatorial and boreal regions even though they remained in physical connection with Laurasia for much of this time. Gondwanan floras of the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous (times immediately preceding and during break-up) were dominated by araucarian and podocarp conifers and a range of enigmatic seed-fern groups. Angiosperms became established in the region as early as the Aptian (before the final break-up events) and steadily diversified during the Cretaceous, apparently at the expense of many seed-fern groups. Hypotheses invoking vicariance or long distance dispersal to account for the biogeographic patterns evident in the floras of Southern Hemisphere continents all rely on a firm understanding of the timing and sequence of Gondwanan continental breakup. This paper aims to summarise the current understanding of the geochronological framework of Gondwanan breakup against which these biogeographic models may be tested. Most phytogeographic studies deal with the extant, angiosperm-dominated floras of these landmasses. This paper also presents an overview of pre-Cenozoic, gymnosperm-dominated, floristic provincialism in Gondwana. It documents the broad succession of pre-angiosperm floras, highlights the distinctive elements of the Early Cretaceous Gondwanan floras immediately preceding the appearance of angiosperms and suggests that latitudinal controls strongly influenced the composition of Gondwanan floras through time even in the absence of marine barriers between Gondwana and the northern continents. Go na br nd prn ti l S.ou
University of Pittsburgh1, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center2, Georgetown University Medical Center3, University of Hull4, Sheba Medical Center5, University of Gothenburg6, University of Melbourne7, Charles University in Prague8, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust9, Northwestern University10
TL;DR: It is concluded that raloxifene continues to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with osteoporosis after 4 years of treatment, through prevention of new cancers or suppression of subclinical tumors, or both.
Abstract: Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator approved for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, has shown a significant reduction in breast cancer incidence after 3 years in this placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis This article includes results from an additional annual mammogram at 4 years and represents 3,004 additional patient-years of follow-up in this trial Breast cancers were ascertained through annual screening mammograms and adjudicated by an independent oncology review board A total of 7,705 women were enrolled in the 4-year trial; 2,576 received placebo, 2,557 raloxifene 60mg/day, and 2,572 raloxifene 120mg/day Women were a mean of 665-years old at trial entry, 19 years postmenopause, and osteoporotic (low bone mineral density and/or prevalent vertebral fractures) As of 1 November 1999, 61 invasive breast cancers had been reported and were confirmed by the adjudication board, resulting in a 72% risk reduction with raloxifene (relative risk (RR) 028, 95% confidence interval (CI) 017, 046) These data indicate that 93 osteoporotic women would need to be treated with raloxifene for 4 years to prevent one case of invasive breast cancer Raloxifene reduced the risk of estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer by 84% (RR 016, 95% CI 009, 030) Raloxifene was generally safe and well-tolerated, however, thromboembolic disease occurred more frequently with raloxifene compared with placebo (p=0003) We conclude that raloxifene continues to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with osteoporosis after 4 years of treatment, through prevention of new cancers or suppression of subclinical tumors, or both Additional randomized clinical trials continue to evaluate this effect in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, at risk for cardiovascular disease, and at high risk for breast cancer
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed Hf isotope study of oceanic arc lavas and paired arc/back-arc settings has been conducted and it was shown that the high field strength elements are always displaced significantly from their co-existing back-arc spreading centres which can be considered to sample the local mantle.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report evidence on the effectiveness of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a strategy communication and management control device and provide a model of communication and control applicable to the BSC.
Abstract: This paper reports evidence on the effectiveness of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a strategy communication and management‐control device. This study first reviews communication and management control literatures that identify attributes of effective communication and control of strategy. Second, the study offers a model of communication and control applicable to the BSC. The study then analyzes empirical interview and archival data to model the use and assess the communication and control effectiveness of the BSC. The study includes data from multiple divisions of a large, international manufacturing company. Data are from BSC designers, administrators, and North American managers whose divisions are objects of the BSC. The study accumulates evidence regarding the challenges of designing and implementing the BSC faced by even a large, well‐funded company. These findings may be general‐izable to other companies adopting or considering adopting the BSC as a strategic and management control device. Data in...
Swinburne University of Technology1, Australia Telescope National Facility2, ASTRON3, University of Leicester4, Cardiff University5, University of Western Sydney6, University of Bristol7, University of Melbourne8, Australian National University9, University of Sydney10, University of New Mexico11, Space Telescope Science Institute12, Universidad de Guanajuato13
TL;DR: The HIPASS data was acquired at the Australia Telescope National Facility's Parkes 64m telescope in 1997 February, and was completed in 2000 March as mentioned in this paper, and the characteristic root mean square noise in the survey images is 13.3 mJy.
Abstract: The acquisition of HI Parkes All Shy Survey (HIPASS) southern sky data commenced at the Australia Telescope National Facility's Parkes 64-m telescope in 1997 February, and was completed in 2000 March. HIPASS is the deepest HI survey yet of the sky south of declination +2 degrees, and is sensitive to emission out to 170 h(75)(-1) Mpc. The characteristic root mean square noise in the survey images is 13.3 mJy. This paper describes the survey observations, which comprise 23 020 eight-degree scans of 9-min duration, and details the techniques used to calibrate and image the data. The processing algorithms are successfully designed to be statistically robust to the presence of interference signals, and are particular to imaging point (or nearly point) sources. Specifically, a major improvement in image quality is obtained by designing a median-gridding algorithm which uses the median estimator in place of the mean estimator.
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TL;DR: It is found that nurses who report overall dissatisfaction with their jobs have a 65% higher probability of intending to quit the NHS than those reporting to be satisfied, however, dissatisfaction with promotion and training opportunities are found to have a stronger impact than workload or pay.
Abstract: In recent years the British National Health Service (NHS) has experienced an acute shortage of qualified nurses. This has placed issues of recruitment and retention in the profession high on the political agenda. In this Paper, we investigate the determinants of job satisfaction for nurses and establish the importance of job satisfaction in determining nurses' intentions to quit the NHS. We find that nurses who report overall dissatisfaction with their jobs have a 65% higher probability of intending to quit than those reporting to be satisfied. However, dissatisfaction with promotion and training opportunities are found to have a stronger impact than workload or pay. Recent policies, which focus heavily on improving the pay of all NHS nurses, will have only limited success unless they are accompanied by improved promotion and training opportunities. Better retention will, in turn, lead to reduced workload.
TL;DR: In this paper, the optical properties of the resulting thin Au@SiO2 particles have been analyzed as a function of the particle volume fraction, which is controlled through the silica shell thickness, and the surface plasmon peak position in films with volume fractions up to φ > 0.5 is accurately predicted by the Maxwell−Garnett model.
Abstract: Homogeneous films of Au@SiO2 particles have been deposited on glass as a prototype 3D “artificial solid” using the LBL method. The film thickness is controlled by the number of dipping cycles and is measured by AFM. Each cycle results in approximately one monolayer of particles being deposited. The particle films are dense, but disordered. The optical properties of the resulting thin films have been analyzed as a function of the particle volume fraction, which is controlled through the silica shell thickness. We find that the surface plasmon peak position in films with volume fractions up to φ > 0.5 is accurately predicted by the Maxwell−Garnett model. The films exhibit remarkably uniform, transmitted colors and display metallic reflection at low angles of incidence, even at low volume fractions. The films can be annealed at T > 500 K to provide extremely stable, optical films.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that long-run fiscal effects are not fully captured by period averaging and static panel methods, and that the long-term effects of government expenditure and taxation will have both temporary and permanent effects on growth.
Abstract: Endogenous growth models, such as Barro (1990), predict that government expenditure and taxation will have both temporary and permanent effects on growth. We test this prediction using panels of annual and period-averaged data for OECD countries during 1970–95, isolating long-run from short-run fiscal effects. Our results strongly support the endogenous growth model and suggest that long-run fiscal effects are not fully captured by period averaging and static panel methods. Unlike previous investigations, our estimates are free from biases associated with incomplete specification of the government budget constraint and do not appear to result from endogeneity of fiscal or investment variables. JEL Classification: H30, O40
Validation du modele de croissance endogene: depenses publiques, fiscalite et croissance a long terme. Des modeles de croissance endogene comme celui de Barro (1990) predisent que depenses gouvernementales et fiscalite vont avoir des effets temporaires et permanents sur la croissance. On met cette prevision au test a l'aide de donnees annuelles et pour certaines moyennes couvrant des sous-periodes pour les pays de l'OCDE (1970–95) dans le but de departager les effets a court et a long terme. Les resultats valident fortement le modele de croissance endogene et suggerent que les effets fiscaux a long terme ne sont pas pleinement captures par des methodes utilisant des moyennes ou des methodes statiques. Contrairement aux resultats d'enquetes anterieures, les resultats proposes ne souffrent pas de distorsions attribuables a une specification incomplete de la contrainte budgetaire du gouvernement, et ne semblent pas etre l'effet d'echo de l'endogeneite des variables fiscales et de l'investissement.
University of Newcastle1, Boston University2, University of Melbourne3, University of California, San Diego4, University of Savoy5, University of Illinois at Chicago6, University of New Brunswick7, Claude Bernard University Lyon 18, University of Amsterdam9, University of Waterloo10, University of British Columbia11, University of Bath12, University of Padua13, University of Florence14, University of Michigan15
TL;DR: Initial examination of reliability and validity indicates excellent internal consistency and stability and encouraging evidence of validity, however, high correlations indicating overlap between some of the scales, particularly importance of thoughts, control of thought, and responsibility will need to be addressed in subsequent empirical and theoretical investigations.
TL;DR: In this paper, the process of Fermi level equilibration in 5 nm ZnO quantum dot−metal nano-junctions has been monitored using changes to both the surface plasmon band of the metal island and the sharp exciton band in the nanocrystals following photoinduced electron accumulation.
Abstract: The process of Fermi level equilibration in 5 nm ZnO quantum dot−metal nanojunctions has been monitored using changes to both the surface plasmon band of the metal island and the sharp exciton band of the ZnO nanocrystals following photoinduced electron accumulation. In the cases of silver, copper, and gold islands, excess electrons reside on both the quantum dot and the metal, whereas for Pt islands, the excess electrons reside exclusively on the Pt island. Electrons are transferred rapidly from Pt to the solvent ethanol, preventing accumulation on the quantum dots. The combination of exciton bleaching and surface plasmon shifts provides a simple way of probing the efficiency of small metal islands as redox catalysts on semiconductor particles.
TL;DR: It is shown that the commonly used DerSimonian and Laird method does not adequately reflect the error associated with parameter estimation, especially when the number of studies is small, and three methods currently used for estimation within the framework of a random effects model are considered.
Abstract: Meta-analysis may be used to estimate an overall effect across a number of similar studies. A number of statistical techniques are currently used to combine individual study results. The simplest of these is based on a fixed effects model, which assumes the true effect is the same for all studies. A random effects model, however, allows the true effect to vary across studies, with the mean true effect the parameter of interest. We consider three methods currently used for estimation within the framework of a random effects model, and illustrate them by applying each method to a collection of six studies on the effect of aspirin after myocardial infarction. These methods are compared using estimated coverage probabilities of confidence intervals for the overall effect. The techniques considered all generally have coverages below the nominal level, and in particular it is shown that the commonly used DerSimonian and Laird method does not adequately reflect the error associated with parameter estimation, especially when the number of studies is small.
TL;DR: This finding supports the hypothesized relationship between changes in the timing of activity of the vastimuscles and PFPS and provides theoretical rationale to support physiotherapy treatment commonly used in the management of PFPS.
TL;DR: A revised classification of malformations of cortical development is proposed, based on the stage of development at which cortical development was first affected, which allows a better conceptual understanding of the disorders, while the component of neuroimaging characteristics allows it to be applied to all patients without necessitating brain biopsy.
Abstract: The many recent discoveries concerning the molecular biologic bases of malformations of cortical development and the discovery of new such malformations have rendered previous classifications out of date. A revised classification of malformations of cortical development is proposed, based on the stage of development (cell proliferation, neuronal migration, cortical organization) at which cortical development was first affected. The categories have been created based on known developmental steps, known pathologic features, known genetics (when possible), and, when necessary, neuroimaging features. In many cases, the precise developmental and genetic features are uncertain, so classification was made based on known relationships among the genetics, pathologic features, and neuroimaging features. A major change since the prior classification has been the elimination of the separation between diffuse and focal/multifocal malformations, based on the recognition that the processes involved in these processes are not fundamentally different; the difference may merely reflect mosaicism, X inactivation, the influence of modifying genes, or suboptimal imaging. Another change is the listing of fewer specific disorders to reduce the need for revisions; more detail is added in other smaller tables that list specific malformations and malformation syndromes. This classification is useful to the practicing physician in that its framework allows a better conceptual understanding of the disorders, while the component of neuroimaging characteristics allows it to be applied to all patients without necessitating brain biopsy, as in pathology-based classifications.