201,468 research outputs found
Evaluating the effectiveness of state R&D tax credits
No full textThis paper aimed to analyze the effectiveness of state R&D tax credit programs in the context of R&D-relevant policies and regional economic development policies. Although there were extensive theoretical recommendations for promoting private R&D, and state R&D tax credit programs have been one of the most popular regional economic development programs, only few evaluations of state R&D tax credit programs have been conducted. Inspired by this lack of previous study, this study provided an empirical finding for the effectiveness of these programs by applying a quasi-experimental approach, which means conducting experiments without randomness, for comparing states with tax credits and states with no credits.For dealing with the embedded non-randomness, plausible other explanations that weaken the causal relationship between the programs and the effects were examined and ruled out as much as possible. Rival hypotheses were selected using different tax and government policies, overall business and R&D-specific environments, and firm characteristics. They were eliminated by constructing valid control groups, using the difference-in-differences and matching methods, selecting covariates and matching variables as observable variables, and absorbing year-specific fixed effects and cross-sectional-fixed effects as unobservable variables. The decision was made based on multiple estimates and multiple datasets. The research analyzed two sets of industries: the all industry group and high-technology industy. The major findings are : 1) state R&D tax credits positively affect the increase in R&D spending and increase in employment; 2) positive effects on R&D spending are widespread across the all industry group while positive effects on employment are limited to high-technology industry overall; 3) positive effects on R&D spending are also spread out to different sized firms in both the all industry group and high-technology industry; and 4) positive effects on employment are found mainly in large firms in both the all industry group and high-technology industry.The above findings support the utilization of state R&D tax credits. As an indirect intervention, state R&D tax credit programs can increase productivity and encourage innovation by generating additional private R&D activities. State R&D tax credit programs can also make a positive contribution to regional economic growth through the growth of R&D-relevant and high-technology industries
HO-1 induction promotes M2 macrophage polarisation.
No full textRAW 264.7 cells were transfected with siRNA HO-1 and siRNA NC (non-correlated). (A) RT-qPCR analysis of HO-1 mRNA in cells transfected 48 hours after transfection. Cells were treated with SP (10 μM) and/or LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 hours and mRNA expression of selected genes was evaluated by RT-qPCR (B) IL-6 mRNA expression (C) TNF-α mRNA expression (D) Arg1 mRNA expression (E) IL-10 mRNA expression and (F) Rel A mRNA expression. The data are mean ±SD of two separate experiments, each of which was performed in triplicate. **p < 0.01 versus siRNA NC.</p
HO-1 is rapidly increased after haptoglobin and hemopexin infusion.
No full text(A and B) SS-mice (n = 3/group) were infused with vehicle or equimolar (1 μmol/kg) Hb, Hp, Hpx, Hb + Hp, or Hb + Hpx. Livers were removed and flash frozen 1 hour after infusion. Hepatic microsomes were used to assess heme oxygenase (HO) activity (A) via bilirubin production and protein expression (B) via immunoblot. Bars are means ± SD, **p (C and D) SS-mice (n = 3/group) were untreated or infused with Hp or Hpx (1 μmol/kg) at baseline (time 0). Livers were removed and flash frozen 24, 48 or 72 hours after infusion. Hepatic microsomes were used to assess (C) HO activity and (D) HO-1 protein expression via immunoblot. Bars are means ± SD, *p (E and F) SS-mice (n = 3/group) were infused with vehicle or increasing doses (0.0156, 0.0625, 0.25 or 1.0 μmols/kg) of Hp or Hpx at baseline. Livers and kidneys were removed and flash frozen 24 hours after infusion. Hepatic (E) and kidney (F) microsomes were used to assess HO activity. Bars are means ± SD.</p
Study of Ho-doped Bi2Te3 topological insulator thin films
No full textThis publication arises from research funded by the John Fell Oxford University Press (OUP) Research Fund and the Research Complex at Harwell is acknowledged for their hospitality. This work was supported by a DARPA MESO project (No. N66001-11-1-4105). S.E.H. was supported by the VPGE (Stanford University). L.C.M. and A.A.B. acknowledge partial financial support from EPSRC (UK) through a Doctoral Training Award. Diamond Light Source is acknowledged for beamtime on I10 (proposal SI10207).Breaking time-reversal symmetry through magnetic doping of topological insulators has been identified as a key strategy for unlocking exotic physical states. Here, we report the growth of Bi2Te3 thin films doped with the highest magnetic moment element Ho. Diffraction studies demonstrate high quality films for up to 21% Ho incorporation. Superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry reveals paramagnetism down to 2 K with an effective magnetic moment of ∼5 μB/Ho. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy shows that the topological surface state remains intact with Ho doping, consistent with the material's paramagnetic state. The large saturation moment achieved makes these films useful for incorporation into heterostructures, whereby magnetic order can be introduced via interfacial coupling.Peer reviewe
HO-1 and HIF-1α are expressed in the peri-infarct region of the ischemic mouse brain.
No full text(A) Representative image of the TTC stained regions (a, contralateral region; b, peri-infarct region; c, infarct region) in a mouse subjected to 2 h ischemia and 24 h reperfusion (I/R) (n = 3 per group). (B) DAB staining observed as brown color in the peri-infarct region (b) in wild-type (WT) and HO-1+/- mice. Scale bars = 20 μm. (C) Expression of target proteins was determined in brain tissues using western blot analysis, and their levels were quantified (n = 5 per group). **P D) WT and HO-1+/- mice were subjected to I/R, and the brain sections (a, contralateral region; b, peri-infarct region; c, infarct region) were stained with the indicated antibodies (n = 4 per group). Images are representative from three individual tissues.</p
HMOX1 gene promoter alleles and high HO-1 levels are associated with severe malaria in Gambian children.
No full textHeme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is an essential enzyme induced by heme and multiple stimuli associated with critical illness. In humans, polymorphisms in the HMOX1 gene promoter may influence the magnitude of HO-1 expression. In many diseases including murine malaria, HO-1 induction produces protective anti-inflammatory effects, but observations from patients suggest these may be limited to a narrow range of HO-1 induction, prompting us to investigate the role of HO-1 in malaria infection. In 307 Gambian children with either severe or uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, we characterized the associations of HMOX1 promoter polymorphisms, HMOX1 mRNA inducibility, HO-1 protein levels in leucocytes (flow cytometry), and plasma (ELISA) with disease severity. The (GT)(n) repeat polymorphism in the HMOX1 promoter was associated with HMOX1 mRNA expression in white blood cells in vitro, and with severe disease and death, while high HO-1 levels were associated with severe disease. Neutrophils were the main HO-1-expressing cells in peripheral blood, and HMOX1 mRNA expression was upregulated by heme-moieties of lysed erythrocytes. We provide mechanistic evidence that induction of HMOX1 expression in neutrophils potentiates the respiratory burst, and propose this may be part of the causal pathway explaining the association between short (GT)(n) repeats and increased disease severity in malaria and other critical illnesses. Our findings suggest a genetic predisposition to higher levels of HO-1 is associated with severe illness, and enhances the neutrophil burst leading to oxidative damage of endothelial cells. These add important information to the discussion about possible therapeutic manipulation of HO-1 in critically ill patients
Effects of HO-1 overexpression on mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy level in Lv-HO-1-H9c2 cells with H/R model.
No full text(A) Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay. The data are presented as means ± SE (N = 5). **p<0.01 vs corresponding Normoxia group; #p<0.05, vs corresponding Lv-scramble group. (B) Real-time quantitative PCR (RT q-PCR) analyses of HO-1 mRNA expression in lv-HO-1 H9c2 cells subjected to H/R relative to GAPDH expression (n = 3 wells per group). **p<0.01 vs. the normoxia group. (C) H/R-induced HO-1, p62, and LC-3 protein expression analyzed using western blots of lv-HO-1 H9c2 cells. GAPDH was used as a loading control (n = 3 wells per group). ##p<0.01 vs corresponding Lv-scramble group; ***p<0.001 vs. the corresponding normoxia group. (D) Representative confocal microscopy images and quantitative analysis of autophagosomes from 15 fields (n = 3 hearts per group). Scale bar = 500 nm. *p<0.05 vs. the corresponding normoxia group; ##p<0.01, vs corresponding Lv-scramble group. H/R, Hypoxia/reoxygenation; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1. (E,F) Flow cytometry detection of changes in JC-1 fluorescence color reflects changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial ROS levels. #p<0.05, vs corresponding Lv-scramble group; **p<0.01 vs corresponding Normoxia group, #p<0.05, vs corresponding Lv-scramble group. (G) The apoptosis rate of the four groups. Cell identification and detection of apoptosis. **p<0.01 vs corresponding Normoxia group; ##p<0.01, vs corresponding Lv-scramble group.</p
[Exterior of the Hi-D-Ho restaurant]
No full textUndated photograph of the exterior of the Hi-D-Ho restaurant in Lubbock, Texas
Effective applications of microcomputer-based management information and decision support systems for small and medium sized enterprises
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Firstly, this thesis reviews the literature on the application of microcomputer-based Management Information Systems (MISs) and Decision Support Systems (DSS) to Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). It is found that the hardware platform today is already sufficient for SMEs. However, information regarding successful implementation of MISs for SMEs is scarce and largely fragmented.
DSS requires more focused and dedicated use of information to support managerial decision making. Unfortunately, the development of DSSs for SMEs is even more backward. Yet, there is an emerging need for SMEs today because business operations have become more sophisticated under intensified
competition.
With this scenario in mind, the author undertook intensive questionnaire and case surveys to find out the current development and trends for the effective applications of MISs and DSSs. In 1987, the author was awarded the Oshikawa Fellowship by Asian Productivity Organisation in Tokyo and started the present research. 446 completed questionnaire survey sheets from U.K. and Hang Kong have been received and analysed. 67 SMEs and related organisations in 6 developing/developed countries were also visited. This forms the knowledge for the development of expert systems (ES) for effective applications of MIS.
The approach for DSS is based on a carefully selected business game which has most of the common business decision parameters. Intensive experiment with over 100 subjects was conducted in running the game, with an average time contribution of about 20 hours/person. The findings are again consolidated and structured into an ES.
Longitudinal research was conducted in 5 representative SMEs. With the use of action learning and participation of the researcher, more in-depth firsthand information were obtained and analysed. These form part of the input to the ES as well.
Both ES have been validated and further improved. The experimenters find these as keys to develop MIS/DSS for SMEs. A marketing plan is suggested to launch these two products so that they can become more easily available. Finally, recommendations are made on the effective use of the ES and for further development
MeSH term explosion and author rank improve expert recommendations
No full textInformation overload is an often-cited phenomenon that reduces the productivity, efficiency and efficacy of scientists. One challenge for scientists is to find appropriate collaborators in their research. The literature describes various solutions to the problem of expertise location, but most current approaches do not appear to be very suitable for expert recommendations in biomedical research. In this study, we present the development and initial evaluation of a vector space model-based algorithm to calculate researcher similarity using four inputs: 1) MeSH terms of publications; 2) MeSH terms and author rank; 3) exploded MeSH terms; and 4) exploded MeSH terms and author rank. We developed and evaluated the algorithm using a data set of 17,525 authors and their 22,542 papers. On average, our algorithms correctly predicted 2.5 of the top 5/10 coauthors of individual scientists. Exploded MeSH and author rank outperformed all other algorithms in accuracy, followed closely by MeSH and author rank. Our results show that the accuracy of MeSH term-based matching can be enhanced with other metadata such as author rank
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