Parameter Uncertainty and Policy Intensity: Some Extensions and Suggestions for Further Work

The effects of parameter uncertainty on optimal policy have been a matter of interest for academics, and even for some policymakers, for a long time. Two lines of literature have developed analytical results on this matter. The first line uses static models and the second dynamic models. In this dynamic line most of the results are confined to models with a single state and a single control variable. In this paper we want to encourage the analysis of more general dynamic cases. To do so, the results in the dynamic line are extended from one-state and one-control finite horizon models to models with a pair of control variables. We then discuss some of the hurdles which must be surmounted for the results to be made more general and suggests some lines for further research. JEL classification: C61; E61     

Interaction of free-surface waves with floating flexible strips

The method developed by the author to derive a set of algebaic equations to solve the interaction of free-surface waves with a single floating rigid or flexible two-dimensional platform with small draft is extended to the case that the platform consists of strips with different constant flexural rigidity and mass. The method is based on the application of Green's theorem, with a specific choice of the Green function to arrive at a differential-integral equation along the platform. This equation can be solved exactly by means of superposition of exponential functions, a standard method to solve a set of linear differential equations. After integration with respect to the space coordinate the residue theorem leads to both the dispersion relation along each individual strip and an algebraic equation for the coefficients. Due to very fast convergence with respect to the number of coefficients taken into account the series are truncated. Depending on the water-depth, in each series three to ten terms are taken into account. Results are shown for a structure consisting of several strips that are tightly connected and for disjoint strips. In the latter case the computation of the water level between the strips is also computed. The water level and the reflection and transmission coefficients are not unknowns in the algebraic equation, but are computed afterwards by means of Green's theorem.     

Crosslinking reactions and swelling behavior of matrices based on N-acryloyl-TRIS(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane

Summary In this study, new hydrogels in rod shape were prepared from N-acryloyl-TRIS(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (NAT) using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) or N,N’methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as crosslinking agent, dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. In most cases, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), acrylamide (Aam) or acrylic acid (Aac) were used as co-monomers. The polymeric matrices obtained by free radical polymerization exhibited different properties by changing crosslinker, crosslinker concentration, co-monomer and initial NAT/co-monomer mole ratio. Besides, hydrogels from HEMA, Aam and Aac with BIS in absence of NAT were prepared under the same experimental reaction conditions in order to compare the properties of these products with those synthesized from NAT and the respective co-monomers. Some of the final products were selected to perform urea release assays, conducted through swelling-controlled release. Urea was chosen as “model” plant fertilizer agent.     

Slowly moving hull forms in short waves

The purpose of this paper is to provide a mathematical tool to improve the optimal design of ship forms. It is common practice that hull forms are designed such that they have minimum wave resistance in calm water. In this paper a theory is described by which the effect of short waves may be incorporated.The basic tool we use is the ray theory. First, the appropriate free-surface condition is shown. Then, the standard ray method, well-known in geometric optics, is formulated in the fluid region and at the free surface. After an elimination process the eiconal equation and the transport equation are obtained. The characteristic equation for the nonlinear eiconal equation is derived, keeping in mind that the characteristics are not perpendicular to the wave fronts, due to the effect of the double-body potential due to the forward speed of the ship, which is assumed to be a good approximation for the steady potential.Numerical computations are carried out by means of the RK4 method to obtain the ray pattern. After some manipulations the amplitude may be computed just as well. Finally, the nonlinear added-resistance force is calculated. Pictures of ray patterns for several angles of incidence are shown. Also the forces are shown.     

Hydrogen peroxide in exhaled air is increased in stable asthmatic children

Exhaled air condensate provides a noninvasive means of obtaining samples from the lower respiratory tract. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in exhaled air has been proposed as a marker of airway inflammation. We hypothesized that in stable asthmatic children the H2O2 concentration in exhaled air condensate may be elevated as a result of airway inflammation. In a cross-sectional study, 66 allergic asthmatic children (of whom, 41 were treated with inhaled steroids) and 21 healthy controls exhaled through a cold trap. The resulting condensate was examined fluorimetrically for the presence of H2O2. All subjects were clinically stable, nonsmokers, without infection. The median H2O2 level in the exhaled air condensate of the asthmatic patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls (0.60 and 0.15 micromol, respectively; p<0.05), largely because of high values in the stable asthmatic children who did not use anti-inflammatory treatment (0.8 micromol; p<0.01 compared to controls). We conclude that hydrogen peroxide is elevated in exhaled air condensate of children with stable asthma, and may reflect airway inflammation.     

Hepatitis B virus infection, hepatitis B vaccine, and hepatitis B immune globulin

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem in the United States; in 1995, approximately 128,000 cases occurred. Transmission of HBV occurs primarily by blood exchange (eg, by shared needles during injection drug use) and by sexual contact. Persons infected early in life are much more likely to become chronically infected than those infected during adulthood: as many as 90% of infants infected perinatally develop chronic infection and up to 25% will die of HBV-related chronic liver disease as adults. Clinical signs of acute hepatitis occur in about 50% of infected adults but in only 5% of infected preschool-aged children. In the United States, hepatitis B vaccine is currently made by recombinant DNA technology using baker's yeast. Preexposure vaccination results in protective antibody levels in almost all infants and children (> 95%) and healthy adults younger than 40 years of age (> 90%). The most common adverse event following administration of hepatitis B vaccine is pain at the injection site, which occurs in 13% to 29% of adult and 3% to 9% of children. A comprehensive hepatitis B vaccination policy is now recommended that includes (1) routine infant vaccination; (2) catch-up vaccination of 11- to 12-year-olds who were not previously vaccinated; (3) catch-up vaccination of young children at high risk for infection; (4) vaccination of adolescents and adults based on lifestyle or environmental, medical, and occupational situations that place them at risk; and (5) prevention of perinatal HBV infection.     

Long-term results after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase: a report from the Chronic Leukemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term results of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia. A retrospective analysis was carried out of the outcome of 373 consecutive transplants performed at 38 European institutions between 1980 and 1988 and reported to the registry of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. All transplants were carried out for first chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia using unmanipulated marow cells from HLA-identical sibling donors. The probability of survival and leukemia-free survival at 8 years were 54% (95% CI: 49-59) and 47% (95% CI: 41-52) respectively. The probabilities of developing acute GVHD (II-IV) at 100 days and chronic GVHD at 4 years after transplant were 47% (95% CI: 41-53) and 52% (95% CI: 46-58) respectively. The probabilities of transplant-related mortality and leukemic relapse 8 years after BMT were 41% (95% CI: 36-48) and 19% (95% CI: 14-25), respectively. Transplant within 12 months of diagnosis was associated with reduced transplant-related mortality (34 vs 45%, P = 0.013) and resulted in improved leukemia-free survival (52 vs 44%, P = 0.03). The probability of relapse was significantly reduced in patients who developed chronic GVHD (RR = 0.33, P = 0.004). The probability of relapse occurring more than 2 years after transplant was increased more than five-fold in patients transplanted from a male donor (RR = 5.5, P = 0.006). Sixty-seven patients in hematologic remission were studied for residual disease by two-step RT/PCR for BCR-ABL mRNA and 61 (91%) tested negative. We conclude that bone marrow transplantation can induce long-term survival in approximately one-half of CML patients; the majority of survivors have no evidence of residual leukemia cells when studied by molecular techniques. The probability of late relapse is increased with use of a male donor.     

Dealkylation of various 14-alkylsterols by the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans

The metabolism of 4 dietary 24-alkylsterols was investigated in the free-living nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. The major unesterified sterols ofC. elegans in media supplemented with either campesterol, 22-dihydrobrassicasterol or stigmasterol included cholesta-5,7-dienol, cholesterol, cholest-7-enol, and 4α-methylcholest-8(14)-enol. Dietary stigmastanol yielded cholest-7-enol, cholestanol, cholest-8(14)-enol, and 4α-methylcholest-8(14)-enol as major unesterified sterols. Esterified sterols comprised less than 22% of the total sterol. Removal of a C-24 ethyl substituent of sterols was neither hindered by the presence of a Δ²²-bond in the sterol side chain nor was it depedent on unsaturation in ring B of the steroid nucleus.C. elegans reduced a Δ²²-bond during its metabolism of stigmasterol; it did not introduce a Δ²²-bond during stigmastanol metabolism.C. elegans was capable of removing a C-24 methyl substituent regardless of its stereochemical orientation. Metabolic processes involving the steroid ring system of cholesterol (C-7 dehydrogenation, Δ⁵-bond, 4α-methylation, Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-isomerization inC. elegans were not hindered by the presence of a 24-methyl group; various 24-methylsterol metabolites from campesterol were detected, mostly 24-methylcholesta-5,7-dienol. In contrast, no 24-ethylsterol metabolites from the dietary ethylsterols were found. More dietary 24-methylsterol remained unmetabolized than did dietary 24-ethylsterol. A 24α-ethyl group and a 24β-methyl group were dealkylated to a greater extent byC. elegans than was a 24α-methyl group, perhaps reflecting the substrate specificity of the dealkylation enzyme system, or suggesting different enzymes altogether.