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Little Increase (little + increase)
Selected AbstractsQUANTIFYING THE LAFFER CURVE ON THE CONTINUED ACTIVITY TAX IN A DYNASTIC FRAMEWORK,INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 3 2008Jean-Olivier Hairault It is argued that the tax on continued activity should be removed by implementing actuarially fair schemes. However, these schemes cannot fund the expected Social Security (SS) deficit. This article proposes to give individuals a fraction of the actuarially fair incentives in the case of postponed retirement. SS faces a trade-off between giving enough incentives to make individuals delay retirement and giving little increase in pensions in order to help finance its expected deficit. This trade-off is captured by a Laffer curve. Finally, when the SS system aims to maximize welfare, the optimal tax on postponed retirement is still strictly positive. [source] Estimating monotonic functions and their boundsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 12 2000Herbert Kay A function estimator MSQUID is presented for fitting and bounding noisy data that are known to be monotonic. MSQUID augments a "backpropagation" neural network model with a set of constraints which restricts the model to monotonic functions. Model parameters are estimated using nonlinear, constrained optimization at little increase in computation over standard neural networks. It is proven that MSQUID can estimate any monotonic function and produces more accurate estimates than unconstrained optimization. These monotonic functions and their confidence bounds can be used in many fault detection and diagnosis systems. [source] Electric Field-Dependent Dielectric Properties and High Tunability of Porous Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 CeramicsJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2007Yuanyuan Zhang Porous Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 (BST) ceramics were fabricated by the traditional solid-state reaction process, and their structural, microstructural, dielectric, and tunability properties were systemically investigated. Compared with the fully dense BST samples, porous samples exhibit smaller grain sizes, a more uniform microstructure, and much lower dielectric constants, while at the same time, exhibiting little increase in tunability, which is beneficial to the development of microwave-tunable applications. At a frequency of 10 kHz and a temperature of 18°C, as porosity increased from 0% to 28.8%, the dielectric constant of the BST ceramics (under zero bias field) decreased from ,r(0),1690 to ,r(0),990, while the dielectric losses were still less than 0.2%, and the tunability increased from 17.6% to 19.6% (2.6 kV/mm). [source] Generalized k -space decomposition with chemical shift correction for non-cartesian water-fat imagingMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008Ethan K. Brodsky Abstract Chemical-shift artifacts associated with non-Cartesian imaging are more complex to model and less clinically acceptable than the bulk fat shift that occurs with conventional spin-warp Cartesian imaging. A novel k -space based iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) approach is introduced that decomposes multiple species while simultaneously correcting distortion of off-resonant species. The new signal model accounts for the additional phase accumulated by off-resonant spins at each point in the k -space acquisition trajectory. This phase can then be corrected by adjusting the decomposition matrix for each k -space point during the final IDEAL processing step with little increase in reconstruction time. The technique is demonstrated with water-fat decomposition using projection reconstruction (PR)/radial, spiral, and Cartesian spin-warp imaging of phantoms and human subjects, in each case achieving substantial correction of chemical-shift artifacts. Simulations of the point-spread-function (PSF) for off-resonant spins are examined to show the nature of the chemical-shift distortion for each acquisition. Also introduced is an approach to improve the signal model for species which have multiple resonant peaks. Many chemical species, including fat, have multiple resonant peaks, although such species are often approximated as a single peak. The improved multipeak decomposition is demonstrated with water-fat imaging, showing a substantial improvement in water-fat separation. Magn Reson Med 59:1151,1164, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] EBSD investigation of intergranular corrosion attack on low interstitial stainless steelMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 6 2004T. Kuníková Abstract Grain boundary effect on corrosion behaviour of low interstitial AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel after homogenization and heat treatment at 700 and 800°C was investigated by means of Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) technique. Rapid oxalic acid etch test (ASTM A262- practice A) was used to determine steel susceptibility to intergranular corrosion. An attempt to quantify oxalic acid etch test results was also made. Beneficial effect of low carbon and nitrogen content on grain boundary precipitation and corrosion was observed. No changes neither in grain orientations nor in grain boundary types between sensitised and non-sensitised steel states using orientation measurements were recorded. Twin boundaries were found in all samples with highest amount and only small occurrence changes. CSL categorizations showed only little increase of special boundary fractions with increasing time and temperature of heat treatment. Irrespective to annealing conditions a continued network of random boundaries was retained. Additionally, based on misorientation measurement of 50 grooved grain boundaries, a tendency for preferred attack of high angle boundaries (30,55°) was noted. [source] Dual-mode microstrip bandpass filter with spurious response suppressionMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 3 2007Jian-Xin Chen Abstract A dual-mode bandpass filter (BPF) using microstrip patch resonator is proposed. Open-stubs are added on the feed-lines to suppress the spurious response and improve the stopband rejection effectively with little increase in circuit size. Furthermore, a reduced-size dual-mode BPF with spurious response suppression using microstrip slotted-patch resonator is successfully designed. The simulated and measured results are presented and both are in good agreement. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 556,558, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22190 [source] Ventriculo-arterial coupling and mechanical efficiency with remifentanil in patients with coronary artery diseaseACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2004D. Pittarello Background:, Optimum transfer of energy from the left ventricle to the arterial circulation requires appropriate matching of these mechanical systems. Left ventricular-arterial coupling describes this relationship between the ventricular elastance (Ees) and arterial elastance (Ea). The ratio of these elastances defines the efficiency of myocardium and provides in our study a useful technique for assessment of the actions of remifentanil. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of remifentanil on ventriculo-arterial coupling in cardiac surgery in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods:, Fourteen patients with coronary artery disease, submitted intraoperatively to cardiac anesthesia for myocardial revascularization, were examined prospectively. With the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and different dicrotic arterial pressures, we determined the ventricle elastance (Ees), the arterial elastance (Ea) and myocardial efficiency before and after administration of a slow-bolus of remifentanil (1 µ kg,1). Results:, Remifentanil decreases significantly the ventricular elastance (from 6.09 mmHg ml,1 m,2 to 4.88) (P < 0.05), with a less, but however, significant decrease of arterial elastance (from 3.68 mmHg ml,1 m,2 to 3.13) (P < 0.05). Despite causing simultaneous declines, maintains a good myocardial efficiency (0.64,0.68) with no significant difference. Conclusion:, Although remifentanil depresses ventricular and arterial elastance, preserves a good left ventricular-arterial coupling and mechanical efficiency, despite a little increase of coupling. However, these effects are maintained only during a slow intravenous infusion and are dose-dependent with impairment of coupling, that may contribute to decline in overall cardiovascular performance, at higher anesthetic dose and rapid infusion in patients with a severe myocardial dysfunction. [source] Mechanisms of expression of HHV8, EBV and HPV in selected HIV-associated oral lesionsORAL DISEASES, Issue 2002JJ Hille Opportunistic DNA viruses, particularly members of the herpesvirus family, are frequently the aetiological agents of HIV-associated oral lesions. Oral lesions common to the early phase of the AIDS epidemic, including Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), oral aphthous ulceration, AIDS-associated oral lymphoma, and oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL), have been tested for the prevalence of Epstein,Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). While EBV DNA is detected by PCR in all of these lesions, abundant viral replication can only be detected in OHL. In OHL, a novel state of EBV infection has been discovered with concurrent expression of replicative and transforming proteins, with all of these proteins contributing to the development of the lesion. Activation of signalling pathways and up-regulation of the viral receptor, proliferative and antiapoptotic genes by these proteins induce several of the histological features common to OHL, such as acanthosis and hyperproliferation. In contrast to other permissive herpesvirus infections, expression of EBV transforming proteins within the permissively infected OHL tissue enables epithelial cell survival and may enhance viral replication. Detection of KSHV in these HIV-infected individuals has been localized only to their saliva. Replicative and latent KSHV gene products have been detected in association with the development of oral KS lesions. EBV, but not human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), has been detected by PCR in minor salivary gland biopsies of HIV-associated salivary gland disease. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with oral warts in HIV-positive individuals; a diagnosis that appears to be increasing in frequency in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. To date, there appears to be little increase in the incidence of HPV-associated oral cancer. The mechanisms of interaction between HIV and HPV are not fully understood. Expression of viral gene products is clearly important and necessary for the development of multiple AIDS-associated oral lesions. [source] Interleukin-5 deficient mice exhibit impaired host defence against challenge Trichinella spiralis infectionsPARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 10 2000B.A. Vallance Enteric nematode infections are characterized by both peripheral and tissue eosinophilia. The cytokine interleukin (IL)-5 is considered a critical factor in the proliferation and recruitment of eosinophils, however, studies suggest it plays little role in host defence, at least during primary Trichinella spiralis infections. Less is known concerning its role in host defence or in the inflammatory response that develops against challenge infections with the same parasite. We examined these questions by infecting IL-5 deficient and wild-type mice, with T. spiralis parasites. Both strains expelled the primary infection by day 21. Forty days after the primary infection, we challenged the mice with a second T. spiralis infection and counted tissue eosinophils and worms in the intestine. While wild-type mice developed a large tissue eosinophilia, IL-5 deficient mice showed little increase in eosinophil numbers within the intestine. Throughout the challenge infection, significantly larger worm burdens were recovered from IL-5 deficient mice, and worm expulsion was also significantly slower (day 21) compared to wild-type mice (day 14). Thus, unlike in a primary infection, IL-5 is not only essential for the onset of intestinal eosinophilia, but also makes a significant contribution to enteric host defence during challenge T. spiralis infections. [source] Directing vanillin production from ferulic acid by increased acetyl-CoA consumption in recombinant Escherichia coli,BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2009Eun-Gyeong Lee Abstract The amplification of gltA gene encoding citrate synthase of TCA cycle was required for the efficient conversion of acetyl-CoA, generated during vanillin production from ferulic acid, to CoA, which is essential for vanillin production. Vanillin of 1.98 g/L was produced from the E. coli DH5, (pTAHEF-gltA) with gltA amplification in 48 h of culture at 3.0 g/L of ferulic acid, which was about twofold higher than the vanillin production of 0.91 g/L obtained by the E. coli DH5, (pTAHEF) without gltA amplification. The icdA gene encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase of TCA cycle was deleted to make the vanillin producing E. coli utilize glyoxylate bypass which enables more efficient conversion of acetyl-CoA to CoA in comparison with TCA cycle. The production of vanillin by the icdA null mutant of E. coli BW25113 harboring pTAHEF was enhanced by 2.6 times. The gltA amplification of the glyoxylate bypass in the icdA null mutant remarkably increased the production rate of vanillin with a little increase in the amount of vanillin production. The real synergistic effect of gltA amplification and icdA deletion was observed with use of XAD-2 resin reducing the toxicity of vanillin produced during culture. Vanillin of 5.14 g/L was produced in 24 h of the culture with molar conversion yield of 86.6%, which is the highest so far in vanillin production from ferulic acid using recombinant E. coli. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 200,208. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Allergen-induced airway inflammation and bronchial responsiveness in interleukin-5 receptor , chain-deficient miceCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 6 2000Tanaka Objective The role of IL-5 receptor , chain (IL-5R,) in the onset of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to acetylcholine was investigated by testing IL-5R, knockout (IL-5R, KO) mice. Methods Mice were immunized with antigen at intervals of 12 days. Starting 10 days after the secondary immunization, mice were exposed to antigen three times every fourth day. Twenty-four hours after the last antigen challenge, bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine was measured and bronchoalveolar lavage was carried out. Results Twenty-four hours after the last antigen inhalation, total and differential cells counts of bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a significant increase in eosinophils and lymphocytes in ovalbumin-exposed wild-type mice. In IL-5R, KO mice, there was little increase of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The production of IL-5 in BALF increased in both mice after repeated antigen challenge, and there was no significant difference between wild-type and IL-5R, KO mice. Similar to the BAL study, histological sections of lung tissue from ovalbumin-exposed wild-type mice exhibited airway eosinophilic inflammation, which was attenuated by the deficiency of IL-5R, chain. There was no significant difference in serum antigen-specific IgE levels between wild-type and IL-5R, KO mice after immunization nor antigen inhalation. Repeated antigen provocation caused BHR to acetylcholine in wild-type mice. In contrast, no BHR was observed in IL-5R, KO mice after repeated inhalation of antigen. Conclusion These findings indicate that IL-5R, plays an important role in the development of antigen-induced airway eosinophilia and BHR in mice. [source] | |||||||||||||