The growth and diffusion of knowlegde and the theory of the firm

We analyze the implications of a market imperfection related to the inability to establish intellectual property rights, that we label {\it unverifiable communication}. Employees are able to collude with external parties selling ``knowledge capital'' of the firm. The firm organizer engages in strategic interaction simultaneously with employees and competitors, as she introduces endogenous transaction costs in the market for information between those agents. Incentive schemes and communication costs are the key strategic variables used by the firm to induce frictions in collusive markets. Unverifiable communication introduces severe allocative distortions, both at internal product development and at intended sale of information (technology transfer). We derive implications of the model for observable decisions like characteristics of the employment relationship (full employment, incompatibility with other jobs), firms' preferences over cluster characteristics for location decisions, optimal size at entry, in--house development vs sale strategies for innovations and industry evolution.

Transformation of a microprolactinoma into a mixed growth hormone and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma.

Combined prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) secretion by a single pituitary tumor can occur in approximately 5% of cases. However, in all previously reported patients, combined secretion of both hormones was present at the time of diagnosis. Here we describe a patient initially diagnosed with a pure prolactin-secreting microadenoma, who experienced the progressive apparition of symptomatic autonomous GH secretion while on intermittent long term dopamine agonist therapy. She was operated on, and immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma with uniform co-staining of all cells for both GH and PRL. This patient represents the first documented occurrence of asynchronous development of combined GH and PRL secretion in a pituitary adenoma. Although pathogenic mechanisms implicated remain largely speculative, it emphasizes the need for long term hormonal follow up of patients harboring prolactinomas.

A positive theory of geographic mobility and social insurance

This paper presents a tractable dynamic general equilibrium model thatcan explain cross-country empirical regularities in geographical mobility,unemployment and labor market institutions. Rational agents vote overunemployment insurance (UI), taking the dynamic distortionary effects ofinsurance on the performance of the labor market into consideration.Agents with higher cost of moving, i.e., more attached to their currentlocation, prefer more generous UI. The key assumption is that an agent'sattachment to a location increases the longer she has resided there. UIreduces the incentive for labor mobility and increases, therefore, thefraction of attached agents and the political support for UI. The mainresult is that this self-reinforcing mechanism can give rise to multiplesteady-states-one 'European' steady-state featuring high unemployment,low geographical mobility and high unemployment insurance, and one'American' steady-state featuring low unemployment, high mobility andlow unemployment insurance.

Relocation Assistance and Advisory Services, March 24, 2009

This brochure provides general information about relocation assistance provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for those individuals who may be required to move as a result of a highway project. It is not intended to be a legal document that comprehensively explains every right or obligation you have as established by Chapter 316, Code of Iowa; Federal Public Laws 91-646 and 100-17; and 49 CFR. Your relocation adviser will provide the assistance you need to successfully relocate to a suitable replacement property. Your first contact with your relocation adviser will usually occur during the early stages of the appraisal process, and he or she will continue to work with you until you have moved and become established at a new location. Do not hesitate to ask questions so you are sure you understand the process, your rights and the benefits available to you. Please let your DOT relocation adviser know your needs and preferences. If your relocation adviser is unable to help you with a specific problem or concern, he or she may know of another person or an organization that can help you. DO NOT MOVE UNTIL YOU HAVE CONTACTED YOUR DOT RELOCATION ADVISER. Only then will you be sure you are not jeopardizing your potential rights and benefits under this program. No person who lawfully occupies real property will be required by DOT to move without being notified in writing at least 90 days in advance.

Multiple Paternity in Polyandrous Barn Owls (Tyto alba).

In polyandrous species females produce successive clutches with several males. Female barn owls (Tyto alba) often desert their offspring and mate to produce a 2(nd) annual brood with a second male. We tested whether copulating during chick rearing at the 1(st) annual brood increases the male's likelihood to obtain paternity at the 2(nd) annual breeding attempt of his female mate in case she deserts their brood to produce a second brood with a different male. Using molecular paternity analyses we found that 2 out of 26 (8%) second annual broods of deserting females contained in total 6 extra-pair young out of 15 nestlings. These young were all sired by the male with whom the female had produced the 1(st) annual brood. In contrast, none of the 49 1(st) annual breeding attempts (219 offspring) and of the 20 2(nd) annual breeding attempts (93 offspring) of non-deserting females contained extra-pair young. We suggest that female desertion can select male counter-strategies to increase paternity and hence individual fitness. Alternatively, females may copulate with the 1(st) male to derive genetic benefits, since he is usually of higher quality than the 2(nd) male which is commonly a yearling individual.

Centralised versus Decentralised Management of Patients's Medical Records

For more than 20 years, many countries have been trying to set up a standardised medical record at the regional or at the national level. Most of them have not reached this goal, essentially due to two main difficulties related to patient identification and medical records standardisation. Moreover, the issues raised by the centralisation of all gathered medical data have to be tackled particularly in terms of security and privacy. We discuss here the interest of a noncentralised management of medical records which would require a specific procedure that gives to the patient access to his/her distributed medical data, wherever he/she is located.

Gestió de pressupostos per a la construcció

En els últims anys el sector de la construcció ha experimentat un creixement exponencial. Aquest creixement ha repercutit sobre molts aspectes: des de la necessitat de tenir més personal a les obres, la implantació d’unes oficines per a poder gestionar la compatibilitat i portar un control sobre les obres fins a la necessitat d’haver de disposar de programes informàtics específics que ajudin a realitzar la feina de la manera més còmode i àgil possible. El projecte que s’ha dut a terme consisteix a cobrir una d’aquestes necessitats, que és la de la gestió dels pressupostos en les diferents obres que els constructors realitzen. Utilitza la base de dades de l’ITEC (institut de Tecnologia de la Construcció de Catalunya) sobre la qual treballen la immensa majoria dels arquitectes quan dissenyen les obres, però també permet entrar les pròpies dades que el constructor vulgui. L’usuari de l’aplicació podrà fer pressupostos per obres de nova construcció, reformes ... agrupant cada una d’elles per capítols. Aquests capítols els podem entendre com les diferents fases a dur a terme, per exemple: la construcció dels fonaments, l’aixecament de les parets o fer la teulada. Dins dels capítols hi trobem les partides, que és un conjunt de materials i hores de feina i maquinària per a dur a terme una part de l’obra, com per exemple seria fer un envà de separació entre habitacions. En aquest cas hi tindríem els diferents materials que necessitaríem, totxanes, morter; les hores de manobre necessàries per aixecar-la, el transport de tot el material fins a l’obra... Tots aquests paràmetres (materials, hores, transport...) s’anomenen articles i van inclosos a dins de les partides. Aquesta aplicació està dissenyada per funcionar en un entorn client/servidor, utilitzant com a servidor un Linux OpenSuse 10.2 i com a clients estacions de treball amb Windows XP, tot i que també podríem utilitzar d’altres versions dels sistemes operatius de Microsoft. L’entorn de desenvolupament utilitzat és el del llenguatge FDS , el qual ja porta integrat un gestor de fitxers que és el que es farà servir.

Prenatal brain atrophy due to a giant vein of Galen malformation.

We report a full-term newborn girl with a giant vein of Galen malformation and extreme cerebral atrophy of prenatal origin. She presented on the 3rd day of life with intractable congestive heart failure. The diagnosis of the vascular malformation was confirmed by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.

Iowa Workforce Monthly, February 2009, Issue 2

Highlights: * Whether you’re looking for a job or seeking to bolster your credentials, earning a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) gives you proof of your job skills....pg. 2 * Michelle Frey was laid off in 2003. She worked with the WIA program to research and look into careers that would suit her....pg. 2 * Currently, over 450 participants (laborers) are involved in the Emergency Public Jobs (EMJ) program ....pg. 3 * Established in 1999, the first two New Iowan Centers were opened in Muscatine and Sioux City, the eastern and western doors to Iowa....pg. 3 * We appreciate the feedback we get from our customers. Read a few noteworthy comments we’ve received....pg. 4

Iowa Workforce Monthly, October 2009, Issue 9

Highlights: * After learning the local food pantry was almost out of food, the staff at the Creston Workforce Center decided to team together and collect food to donate....pg. 2 * The Kossuth Area Employers’ Council (ECI) will host a training session for businesses on “Writing Employee Handbooks and Job Descriptions”....pg. 2 * Iowa Workforce Development is reminding Iowans that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month....pg. 2 * This story was submitted by Veteran Representative Kate Bearce. She was moved after working to help a veteran.....pg. 3 * New Painting hangs at the VA Hospital New Mental Health Unit.....pg. 3

Meadow Saffron Used as a Spice

Introduction: Intoxications with colchicine usually occur by ingestion of meadow saffron leaves (Colchicum autumnale) which are mistakenly collected for alimentary purposes instead of the leaves of crow garlic (Allium ursinum). Colchicine, the main alkaloid of Colchicum autumnale, is present in all parts of the plant. We report a rarer source of mistake, i.e. between the flowers of Colchicum autumnale and Crocus sativus. The similarity in this case is limited to the appearance of the flowers, but Colchicum autumnale, which is also flowering in autumn, lacks the crimson stigma from which the saffron spice is derived from Crocus sativus. Case report: A 47-year-old woman collected the stamens of a flower resembling Crocus sativus for use as saffron. Her knowledge about Crocus sativus was limited to having seen this plant previously at a museum of saffron (Mund, Switzerland). She prepared a meal with rice using three pinches of ''saffron'' for ten tablespoons of rice. She and her 8-year-old child, both ate the usual amount of rice (6 and 2 tablespoons, respectively). The 2 brothers (4- and 9-years-old) only ate 3 teaspoons of rice each. A slightly bitter taste and the absence of a yellow colouration were peculiar. Three to four hours after the meal, the mother developed nausea and contacted the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre, suspecting a plant misidentification. All family members were referred to the regional university hospital for administration of oral activated charcoal. No other symptoms were reported, notably no symptoms in the 8-year-old boy and his brothers. Colchicine serum concentration (blood sample obtained 15 hours after ingestion) measured by HPLC-mass spectrometry was 0.36 mg/L for the mother, and 0.13 mg/L for the 8-year-old child, respectively (therapeutic levels: 0.30-2.5 mg/L). Conclusion: This report demonstrates that a significant amount of colchicine may be absorbed even after ingestion of very small quantities of Colchicum autumnale, which in this case was confused with Crocus sativus. Serum colchicine concentrations in the sub-/therapeutic range can be quantified by HPLC-mass spectrometry, which allows a very sensitive and specific detection of this alkaloid in blood and urine.

Munchausen's syndrome simulating reflex sympathetic dystrophy

A 15 year old girl who had pain, oedema of her left hand, and fever of four months' duration is described. Marked demineralisation of her hand was shown by radiography, and increased articular uptake by technetium-99m bone scan. All these changes were indistinguishable from reflex sympathetic dystrophy. After two admissions to hospital and multiple explorations we discovered that she had induced her symptoms herself and a diagnosis of Munchausen's syndrome was made. As far as we know this presentation has not been previously reported and might help to explain the physiopathology of some signs of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Parental substance abuse and accidental death in children.

In this report, the authors present two cases of accidental death in children of addicted parents. In the first case, the child was left unattended at home while the mother went out to buy cocaine. She was arrested and detained with no mention of the unsupervised child. The cause of death in this case was determined to be starvation and dehydration. In the second case, a child mistakenly received a methadone suppository by her father instead of an antipyretic suppository. Toxicological analysis of the femoral blood revealed methadone at a concentration of 1.2 mg/L. The cause of death was determined to be methadone intoxication. The literature is reviewed and discussed. We report these cases to illustrate the risk of harm to children from illicit drugs and prescription medications at home and because there is no mention of accidental death in children following a methadone suppository administration in the current literature.

Perforation cardiaque d'un ulcère gastrique: une cause inhabituelle de décès, après résection oesogastrique pour carcinome épidermoïde de l'oesophage [Cardiac perforation by a gastric ulcer: an unusual cause of death, after an esophageal and gastric resection of an epidermoid esophageal carcinoma]

We report here the case of a 55 year old female that underwent surgery for a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (middle third). Four months after surgery, she complains of neck pain, for which she is prescribed non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). A CT-scan and a Barium swallow are then normal. After three weeks of treatment, the patient is admitted on emergency to the Intensive Care Unit for a resuscitation hematemesis and atrial fibrillation with a fast ventricular response. The symptoms are stabilized after the transfusion of a few packed red blood cells. A few hours later, however, a massive hematemesis recurs and the patient dies despite intense resuscitation measures. Autopsy reveals three gastric ulcers, one of which had perforated through the cardiac left ventricular wall

But Marriage itself is no Party : Angela Carter's Translation of Charles Perrault's La Belle au bois dormant.

AbstractThis article demonstrates the importance of Angela Carter's translations of Charles Perrault's contes into English and argues for their profound influence on her subsequent literary career. Against feminist critics who rejected fairy tales as conservative and informed by patriarchal structures and values, Carter reclaimed Perrault for feminism by recovering the critical edge and emancipating potential of his Histoires ou contes du temps passé, Avec des Moralités. This essay shows, through a comparative reading of "La Belle au bois dormant" and "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood," that Carter opposed the worldly "politics of experience" that she found in Perrault to the Disneyfied imagery of the Sleeping Beauty myth and modernized the critique of early marriages already contained in Perrault's Moralités. The subversive power of Carter's work, therefore, is not directed against Perrault but rather toward cultural and commercial appropriations of the fairy tale, which promote a naïve view of marriage.Recommended CitationHennard Dutheil de la Rochère, Martine. ""But marriage itself is no party": Angela Carter's Translation of Charles Perrault's "La Belle au bois dormant"; or, Pitting the Politics of Experience against the Sleeping Beauty Myth." Marvels & Tales 24.1 (2010).