Recently, a treponema-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the CAPTIA Syphilis-G (Trinity Biotech, Jamestown, N.Y.), has become available as a diagnostic test for syphilis. A total of 89 stored sera previously tested by the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) IgG assay were evaluated by the CAPTIA EIA. The FTA-ABS IgG procedure was performed by technologist...

We study how the sequential formation of free trade areas affects trade flows between member countries. In a three–country, three–good model of comparative advantage if two countries have an FTA, and both sign a similar agreement with the third, trade between the two decreases. However, if only one of them signs an additional FTA, a huband-spoke pattern arises, and trade between the initial mem...

Why is Chile following such a proactive FTA policy and at the same time promoting the benefits of these type of agreements to other Latin American countries? There is a predominance of economic explanations to analyze why countries pursue an active FTA policy. Yet within an FTA policy, understood as an essential component of a country’s foreign policy, strategic and ideational goals are also im...

FTA proposed to add selections for ‘‘type of fire’’ to the non-rail fire event detail screens to provide better nationallevel information for vehicle fire prevention and mitigation. Comment. FTA received two comments to the proposed revision. Commenters indicated that ‘‘type of fire’’ was often difficult to ascertain and could only be identified after a lengthy investigation. FTA Response. The ...

To investigate dynamic paths of network formation of free trade agreements (FTAs), we conduct simulations of Goyal and Joshi’s (2006) model of FTA network formation game with many countries. We compare the results between two protocols regarding the choice of the pair that decides if they form (or sever) an FTA link in each round in the network evolution. The first protocol is the random protoc...

Membrane adhesions between the flagella of mating-type "plus" and "minus" gametes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi are shown to stimulate a rapid change in the ultrastructure of the flagellar tips, designated as flagellar tip activation (FTA). A dense substance, termed fibrous tip material (FTM), accumulates between the flagellar membrane and the nine single A microtubules of the tip. The A microtubu...

FTA® technologies provide the most reliable method for DNA extraction. Although FTA technologies have been widely used for genetic analysis, there is no literature on their use for epigenetic analysis yet. We present for the first time, a simple method for quantitative methylation assessment based on sperm cells stored on Whatman FTA classic cards. Specifically, elution of seminal DNA from FTA ...

Compared with Europe and America, East Asia is a latecomer in the new gold-rush of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In this process, China has played a significant role. This is not only due to the growing economic clout of China, but also because China has taken a conscious strategy to push for economic integration in the region. Thus, for the benefits of the countries in the region, it is very i...

This paper deals with the concept of complete residuated lattice-valued (referred to as L-valued) finite tree automata. In this regard, we first define an L-valued regular tree language, and then we prove a necessary and sufficient condition for the regularity of an L-valued tree language. Furthermore, we generalize the pumping lemma for L-valued finite tree automata (L-FTA). Afterwards, the be...