Topics in Spatial Econometrics - With Applications to House Prices

Topics in Spatial Econometrics — With Applications to House Prices Spatial effects in data occur when geographical closeness of observations influences the relation between the observations. When two points on a map are close to each other, the observed values on a variable at those points tend to be similar. The further away the two points are from each other, the less similar the observed values tend to be. Recent technical developments, geographical information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) have brought about a renewed interest in spatial matters. For instance, it is possible to observe the exact location of an observation and combine it with other characteristics. Spatial econometrics integrates spatial aspects into econometric models and analysis. The thesis concentrates mainly on methodological issues, but the findings are illustrated by empirical studies on house price data. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter and four essays. The introductory chapter presents an overview of topics and problems in spatial econometrics. It discusses spatial effects, spatial weights matrices, especially k-nearest neighbours weights matrices, and various spatial econometric models, as well as estimation methods and inference. Further, the problem of omitted variables, a few computational and empirical aspects, the bootstrap procedure and the spatial J-test are presented. In addition, a discussion on hedonic house price models is included. In the first essay a comparison is made between spatial econometrics and time series analysis. By restricting the attention to unilateral spatial autoregressive processes, it is shown that a unilateral spatial autoregression, which enjoys similar properties as an autoregression with time series, can be defined. By an empirical study on house price data the second essay shows that it is possible to form coordinate-based, spatially autoregressive variables, which are at least to some extent able to replace the spatial structure in a spatial econometric model. In the third essay a strategy for specifying a k-nearest neighbours weights matrix by applying the spatial J-test is suggested, studied and demonstrated. In the final fourth essay the properties of the asymptotic spatial J-test are further examined. A simulation study shows that the spatial J-test can be used for distinguishing between general spatial models with different k-nearest neighbours weights matrices. A bootstrap spatial J-test is suggested to correct the size of the asymptotic test in small samples.

Structure of 2',3'-O-isopropylideneguanosine dimethylsulfoxide solvate

CI3H17N5Os.C2H6OS, Mr=401.23, orthorhombic,P21212 p grown from Me2SO, a = 10.749 (2),b = 13.219 (2), c = 14.056 (2) A, V= 1997-23 A 3, Z =4, D_=1.40, D x=l.335Mgm -3, 2(CuKa)= 1.5418/~', g = 1.694 mm -~, F(000) = 848.00, T=293K, R =0.0538, wR =0.0634 for 2105 unique reflections with F > 3o(F). The asymmetric unit contains one nucleoside molecule with a disordered solvent Me2S_O molecule. The geometry about the C(4')-C(5') bond is gauche-gauche. The guanosine base is in the anti conformation with the furanose ring having C(3')-exo (E 3) puckering. The bases do not show any stacking in contrast to other guanosine-containing structures. The crystal structure is stabilized by N--H...N and N--H...O hydrogen bonding.

Genome-wide expression profiling identifies deregulated miRNAs in malignant astrocytoma

Malignant astrocytoma includes anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III) and glioblastoma (grade IV). Among them, glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor with dismal responses to all therapeutic modalities. We performed a large-scale, genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) (n=756) expression profiling of 26 glioblastoma, 13 anaplastic astrocytoma and 7 normal brain samples with an aim to find deregulated miRNA in malignant astrocytoma. We identified several differentially regulated miRNAs between these groups, which could differentiate glioma grades and normal brain as recognized by PCA. More importantly, we identified a most discriminatory 23-miRNA expression signature, by using PAM, which precisely distinguished glioblastoma from anaplastic astrocytoma with an accuracy of 95%. The differential expression pattern of nine miRNAs was further validated by real-time RT-PCR on an independent set of malignant astrocytomas (n-72) and normal samples (n=7). Inhibition of two glioblastoma-upregulated miRNAs (miR-21 and miR-23a) and exogenous overexpression of two glioblastoma-downregulated miRNAs (miR-218 and miR-219-5p) resulted in reduced soft agar colony formation but showed varying effects on cell proliferation and chemosensitivity. Thus we have identified the miRNA expression signature for malignant astrocytoma, in particular glioblastoma, and showed the miRNA involvement and their importance in astrocytoma development. Modern Pathology (2010) 23, 1404-1417; doi:10.1038/modpathol.2010.135; published online 13 August 2010

Silva Fennica Vol. 23, 1989.

Julkaistu Silva Fennica Vol. 23(4) -numeron liitteenä.

Changing Paradigms in Biblical Criticism : 2 Kings 22:1 23:30 in the Flux of Discourses

The subject and methodology of biblical scholarship has expanded immense-ly during the last few decades. The traditional text-, literary-, source- and form-critical approaches, labeled historical-critical scholarship , have faced the challenge of social sciences. Various new literary, synchronic readings, sometimes characterized with the vague term postmodernism, have in turn challenged historicalcritical, and social-scientific approaches. Widened limits and diverging methodologies have caused a sense of crisis in biblical criticism. This metatheoretical thesis attempts to bridge the gap between philosophical discussion about the basis of biblical criticism and practical academic biblical scholarship. The study attempts to trace those epistemological changes that have produced the wealth of methods and results within biblical criticism. The account of the cult reform of King Josiah of Judah as reported in 2 Kings 22:1 23:30 serves as the case study because of its importance for critical study of the Hebrew Bible. Various scholarly approaches embracing 2 Kings 22:1 23:30 are experimentally arranged around four methodological positions: text, author, reader, and context. The heuristic model is a tentative application of Oliver Jahraus s model of four paradigms in literary theory. The study argues for six theses: 1) Our knowledge of the world is con-structed, fallible and theory-laden. 2) Methodological plurality is the neces-sary result of changes in epistemology and culture in general. 3) Oliver Jahraus s four methodological positions in regard to literature are also an applicable model within biblical criticism to comprehend the methodological plurality embracing the study of the Hebrew Bible. 4) Underlying the methodological discourse embracing biblical criticism is the epistemological ten-sion between the natural sciences and the humanities. 5) Biblical scholars should reconsider and analyze in detail concepts such as author and editor to overcome the dichotomy between the Göttingen and Cross schools. 6) To say something about the historicity of 2 Kings 22:1 23:30 one must bring together disparate elements from various disciplines and, finally, admit that though it may be possible to draw some permanent results, our conclusions often remain provisional.

Grad–Shafranov Reconstruction of Magnetic Clouds: Overview and Improvements

The Grad–Shafranov reconstruction is a method of estimating the orientation (invariant axis) and cross section of magnetic flux ropes using the data from a single spacecraft. It can be applied to various magnetic structures such as magnetic clouds (MCs) and flux ropes embedded in the magnetopause and in the solar wind. We develop a number of improvements of this technique and show some examples of the reconstruction procedure of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) observed at 1 AU by the STEREO, Wind, and ACE spacecraft during the minimum following Solar Cycle 23. The analysis is conducted not only for ideal localized ICME events but also for non-trivial cases of magnetic clouds in fast solar wind. The Grad–Shafranov reconstruction gives reasonable results for the sample events, although it possesses certain limitations, which need to be taken into account during the interpretation of the model results.

Synthesis based on cyclohexadienes .23. Total synthesis of 5-epi-pupukean-2-one

A new strategy for the construction of the isotwistane skeleton is reported from easily available cyclohexadienes which involves stereoselective alkylation of a bicyclooctenone derivative and a decarboxylative 5-exo-trig radical cyclisation as the key steps in the total synthesis of 5-epi-pupukean-2-one.

Electroless Ni-W-P Coating and Its Nano-WS2 Composite: Preparation and Properties

The ternary alloy Ni-W-P and its WS2 nanocomposite coatings were successfully obtained on low-carbon steel using the electroless plating technique. The sodium tungstate (Na2WO4) concentration in the bath was varied to obtain Ni-W-P deposits containing various Ni and P contents. WS2 composite was obtained with a suitable concentration of Na2WO4 in Ni-P coating. These deposits were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) studies. The corrosion behavior was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies in 3.5 wt % NaCl solutions, and the corrosion rates of the coatings for Ni-P, Ni-W-P, and Ni-W-P-WS2 were found to be 2.571 x 10(-5), 8.219 x 10(-7), and 7.986 x 10(-7) g/h, respectively. An increase in the codeposition of alloying metal tungsten (W) enhanced the corrosion resistance and microhardness and changed the structure and morphology of the deposits. Incorporation of WS2 nanoparticles to Ni-W-P alloy coating reduced the coefficient of friction from 0.16 to 0.11 and also helped in improving the corrosion resistance of the coating further.

miR-219-5p inhibits receptor tyrosine kinase pathway by targeting EGFR in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is one of the common types of primary brain tumors with a median survival of 12-15 months. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathway is known to be deregulated in 88% of the patients with glioblastoma. 45% of GBM patients show amplifications and activating mutations in EGFR gene leading to the upregulation of the pathway. In the present study, we demonstrate that a brain specific miRNA, miR-219-5p, repressed EGFR by directly binding to its 3'-UTR. The expression of miR-219-5p was downregulated in glioblastoma and the overexpression of miR-219-5p in glioma cell lines inhibited the proliferation, anchorage independent growth and migration. In addition, miR-219-5p inhibited MAPK and PI3K pathways in glioma cell lines in concordance with its ability to target EGFR. The inhibitory effect of miR-219-5p on MAPK and PI3K pathways and glioma cell migration could be rescued by the overexpression of wild type EGFR and vIII mutant of EGFR (both lacking 3'-UTR and thus being insensitive to miR-219-5p) suggesting that the inhibitory effects of miR-219-5p were indeed because of its ability to target EGFR. We also found significant negative correlation between miR-219-5p levels and total as well as phosphorylated forms of EGFR in glioblastoma patient samples. This indicated that the downregulation of miR-219-5p in glioblastoma patients contribute to the increased activity of the RTK pathway by the upregulation of EGFR. Thus, we have identified and characterized miR-219-5p as the RTK regulating novel tumor suppressor miRNA in glioblastoma.

Conformational Diversity in Contryphans from Conus Venom: cis-trans Isomerisation and Aromatic/Proline Interactions in the 23-Membered Ring of a 7-Residue Peptide Disulfide Loop

Conformational diversity or shapeshifting in cyclic peptide natural products can, in principle, confer a single molecular entity with the property of binding to multiple receptors. Conformational equilibria have been probed in the contryphans, which are peptides derived from Conus venom possessing a 23-membered cyclic disulfide moiety. The natural sequences derived from Conus inscriptus, GCV(D)LYPWC* (In936) and Conus loroisii, GCP(D)WDPWC* (Lo959) differ in the number of proline residues within the macrocyclic ring. Structural characterisation of distinct conformational states arising from cis-trans equilibria about Xxx-Pro bonds is reported. Isomerisation about the C2-P3 bond is observed in the case of Lo959 and about the Y5-P6 bond in In936. Evidence is presented for as many as four distinct species in the case of the synthetic analogue V3P In936. The Tyr-Pro-Trp segment in In936 is characterised by distinct sidechain orientations as a consequence of aromatic/proline interactions as evidenced by specific sidechain-sidechain nuclear Overhauser effects and ring current shifted proton chemical shifts. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that Tyr5 and Trp7 sidechain conformations are correlated and depend on the geometry of the Xxx-Pro bond. Thermodynamic parameters are derived for the cis trans equilibrium for In936. Studies on synthetic analogues provide insights into the role of sequence effects in modulating isomerisation about Xxx-Pro bonds.

Prudentia Iuris, 1990, n° 23 (número completo)

Contenido: Doctor Santiago de Estrada / Alfredo Di Pietro – Jornadas sobre “La reforma del Estado”: Las alternativas de financiamiento del mercado de capitales / Joaquín R. Ledesma – Una reflexión sobre la ley de reforma del Estado / Carlos Raúl Sanz – Las privatizaciones / Juan Carlos Cassagne – La concesión de obra pública / Rodolfo Barra – Constitucionalidad de las privatizaciones / Néstor Pedro Sagüés – Aspectos laborales de la ley 23.696 / Hugo R. Carcavallo – Estado nacional y bien común / José Giménez Rébora – Atribuciones, conducta y control de los funcionarios públicos en la época hispánica / Julio R. Lascano – Notas acerca de las relaciones Iglesia-Estado / Néstor Daniel Villa – Interdictos y acciones populares en Roma/ Fernando M. Zamora – Ciencias políticas: Ortega y la “sociedad de naciones” / Enrique Aguilar -- Documentos