The Stagnation Regime of the New Keynesian Model and Current US Policy

In Evans, Guse, and Honkapohja (2008) the intended steady state is locally but not globally stable under adaptive learning, and unstable deflationary paths can arise after large pessimistic shocks to expectations. In the current paper a modified model is presented that includes a locally stable stagnation regime as a possible outcome arising from large expectation shocks. Policy implications are examined. Sufficiently large temporary increases in government spending can dislodge the economy from the stagnation regime and restore the natural stabilizing dynamics. More specific policy proposals are presented and discussed.

Inflation dynamics and the New Keynesian Phillips curve in EU-4

The paper seeks to shed light on inflation dynamics of four new EU member states: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. To this end, the New Keynesian Phillips curve augmented for open economies is estimated and additional statistical tests applied. We find the following. (1) The claim of New Keynesians that the real marginal cost is the main inflation-forcing variable is fragile. (2) Inflation seems to be driven by external factors. (3) Although inflation holds a forward-looking component, the backward-looking component is substantial. An intuitive explanation for higher inflation persistence may be rather adaptive than rational price setting of local firms.

A look through the new therapeutic window: irbesartan

Although an impressive array of efficacious antihypertensive agents are available to treat hypertension, the optimal use of these agents is limited by dose-related side-effect profiles. This is particularly the case for widely used first-line antihypertensive agents such as diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, and alpha1-blockers; this represents a major therapeutic dilemma in treating hypertension. With the development of the angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs), this dilemma might have been solved. Irbesartan is a long-acting AIIRA that provides dose-related efficacy with placebo-like tolerability at all clinical doses. The results of placebo and active-control trials of irbesartan have demonstrated that the agent is as effective as the leading members of major antihypertensive classes with respect to blood pressure control, while having superior tolerability. Pooled data from nine multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trials with irbesartan have documented no adverse events caused by dose-response. This feature could widen the traditionally narrow therapeutic window in the treatment of hypertension and point to the use of AIIRAs such as irbesartan as first-line therapy in the management of hypertension.

Vaccination against schistosomiasis and fascioliasis with the new recombinant antigen Sm14: potential basis of a multi-valent anti-helminth vaccine?

Molecular cloning of components of protective antigenic preparations have suggested that related parasite fatty acid binding proteins could form the basis of the well documented protective, immune cross reactivity between the parasitic trematode worms Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni. We have now confirmed the cross protective potential of parasite fatty acid binding proteins and suggest that it may be possible to produce a single vaccine that would be effective against at least two parasites, F. hepatica and S. mansoni of veterinary and human importance respectively.

The New Institutions of Transatlantic Aviation

This article focuses on the institutions of transatlantic aviation since 1945, and aims at extracting from this historical process topical policy implications. Using the methodology of an analytic narrative, we describe and explain the creation of the international cartel institutions in the 1940s, their operation throughout the 1950s and 60s, their increasing vulnerability in the 1970s, and then the progressive liberalization of the whole system. Our analytic narrative has a natural end, marked by the signing of an Open Skies Agreement between the US and the EU in 2007. We place particular explanatory power on (a) the progressive liberalization of the US domestic market, and (b) the active role of the European Commission in Europe. More specifically, we explain these developments using two frameworks. First, a “political limit pricing” model, which seemed promising, then failed, and then seemed promising again because it failed. Second, a strategic bargaining model inspired by Susanne Schmidt’s analysis of how the European Commission uses the threat of infringement proceedings to force member governments into line and obtain the sole negotiating power in transatlantic aviation.

The new direct oral anticoagulants in special indications: rationale and preliminary data in cancer, mechanical heart valves, anti-phospholipid syndrome, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and beyond.

The present review will briefly summarize the interplay between coagulation and inflammation, highlighting possible effects of direct inhibition of factor Xa and thrombin beyond anticoagulation. Additionally, the rationale for the use of the new direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for indications such as cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT), mechanical heart valves, thrombotic anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) will be explored. Published data on patients with cancer or mechanical heart valves treated with DOAC will be discussed, as well as planned studies in APS and HIT. Although at the present time published evidence is insufficient for recommending DOAC in the above-mentioned indications, there are good arguments in favor of clinical trials investigating their efficacy in these contexts. Direct inhibition of factor Xa or thrombin may reveal interesting effects beyond anticoagulation as well.

Serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Using the New Particle Gel Immunoassay - ID-PaGIA Chagas

The ID-Chagas test is a particle gel immunoassay (PaGIA). Red coloured particles are sensitised with three different synthetic peptides representing antigen sequences of Trypanosoma cruzi: Ag2, TcD and TcE. When these particles are mixed with serum containing specific antibodies, they agglutinate. The reaction mixture is centrifuged through a gel filtration matrix allowing free agglutinated particles to remain trapped on the top or distributed within the gel. The result can be read visually. In order to investigate the ability of the ID-PaGIA to discriminate negative and positive sera, 111 negative and 119 positive, collected in four different Brazilian institutions, were tested by each of the participants. All sera were previously classified as positive or negative according to results obtained with three conventional tests (indirect immunofluorescence, indirect hemaglutination, and enzime linked immunosorbent assay). Sensitivity rates of ID-PaGIA varied from 95.7% to 97.4% with mean sensitivity of 96.8% and specificity rates varied from 93.8 to 98.8% with mean specificity of 94.6%. The overall Kappa test was 0.94. The assay presents as advantages the simplicity of operation and the reaction time of 20 min. In this study, ID-PaGIA showed to be highly sensitive and specific.

IPH response to Phase 2 of the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs 2011-2016 (Northern Ireland)

The IPH response to the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs questionnaire which has been designed to help stakeholders respond to New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs Phase 2 (2011-2016) consultation document.

Identification of environmental Serratia plymuthica strains with the new Combo panels Type 1S

Automated systems are required when numerous samples need to be processed, offering both high through put and test of a multiple simultaneously. This study was performed to compare the MicroScan WalkAway automated identification system in conjunction with the new MicroScan Combo Neg Panels Type 1S with conventional biochemical methods for identifying ten environmental Serratia plymuthica strains. High correlation between both methods were observed for all the 21 tests evaluated, and the MicroScan system was found capable of correctly identifying all S. plymuthica strains tested. In all tests, the percentage of correlation was 100%, except in raffinose test (91%).

Addressing Young People's Drinking in Northern Ireland: Action to Support the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs

This action plan focuses on three main areas: • reducing young people’s demand for alcohol by providing information, education and training to young people and their parents; •restricting the supply of alcohol via measures to reduce accessibility to alcohol (including how alcohol is priced, marketed, and promoted); and • providing treatment and support for those who require additional help. While the emphasis of this action plan is on young people, it recognises that their drinking patterns are very much influenced by modelling the drinking patterns of adults in our society, and it therefore contains actions that will impact on the entire population. Alcohol misuse - however you measure the cost, whether to the individual, the family, the community, the health service, or society as a whole - is one of the biggest public health issues facing Northern Ireland.