Alexandre Lamfalussy and the monetary policy debates among central bankers during the Great Inflation. National Bank of Belgium Working Paper No. 341

The 1970s were a turbulent period in postwar monetary history. This paper focuses on how central bankers at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), especially Alexandre Lamfalussy, the BIS’s Economic Adviser, responded to the Great Inflation. The breakdown of Bretton Woods forced central bankers to look for new monetary policy strategies as the exchange rate lost its central role. Lamfalussy, in his early years a Keynesian in favour of discretionary policies, moved to a "conservative Keynesian" position, acknowledging that a medium term orientation and the credibility of monetary policy were important to break inflationary expectations. However, Lamfalussy never moved to “monetarist” positions. Lamfalussy certainly acknowledged that monetary targets could reinforce the credibility and independence of monetary policy. However, he rejected mechanical rules. In essence he aimed for a middle position: rules applied with a pragmatic sense of discretion. In the early 1980s, with the rise of financial innovations, Lamfalussy would stress even more the limitations of monetary targeting. His focus turned increasingly to systemic financial stability risks, preparing the ground for the macroprudential approach of the BIS. In Lamfalussy's view, central banking remained an art, not a science

Boosaardige catarraal koorts: een wolf in schaapskleren

During recent years an increasing number of outbreaks of Malignant Catharral Fever (MCF) in cattle has been reported in several European countries. The clinical picutre also seems to be changing: the disease used to be characterized by a low morbidity and a high mortality, but large outbreaks with high morbidity and high mortality have recently been reported in several European countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands. This evolution implies that MCF becomes increasingly an economically important disease. In this article an overview is presented on the current knowledge on MCF with emphasis on epidemiology, diagnosis and preventive measures. Due to the high seroprevalence in adult sheep and the absence of protective vaccines for cattle, the conclusion of this review is that at this moment prevention of MCF in cattle mainly depends on the stringent avoidance of all contacts between sheep and cattle

First report of multinodular pulmonary fibrosis associated with equine herpesvirus 5 in Belgium

A 20-year-old horse was evaluated for symptoms of weight loss, anorexia, fever and lethargy. Clinical examination revealed tachypnea, poor body condition and increased breath sounds on auscultation. Ultrasound showed multiple consolidations on the lungs. Thoracic radiography revealed a severe nodular pattern. The horse was treated with antibiotics, corticoids and supportive medication. Since no improvement was observed, the horse was euthanized. At necropsy, numerous coalescing fibrous nodules were present in the lungs. Histology revealed diffuse interstitial fibrosis and macrophages containing abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and oval eosinophilic to amphophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Tissue samples tested positive for the presence of equine herpes virus 5 (EHV 5) on the basis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A diagnosis of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) was made. This is the first report of EMPF in Belgium. EMPF can be suspected based on the ultrasonographic, radiographic and histological changes. EMPF is associated with EHV 5, but the etiological role of EHV 5 still remains to be proven

Hernia diafragmatica: een zeldzame oorzaak van voorste stenose bij het rund

Diaphragmatic hernia is a rare condition in cattle and although clinical symptoms can be variable, signs of anterior stenosis predominate. On the basis of four cases presented at the Clinic for Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University (Belgium), the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and the treatment of diaphragmatic hernia are discussed in this article. The literature suggests that pre-operative diagnosis and a successful treatment are possible. Hence a comparison is made between the findings of these four cases and the findings in the literature

RotaC: A web-based tool for the complete genome classification of group A rotaviruses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Group A rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and children worldwide and continue to have a major global impact on childhood morbidity and mortality. In recent years, considerable research efforts have been devoted to the development of two new live, orally administered vaccines. Although both vaccines have proven to confer a good protection against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, these vaccines will have to be screened and may have to be updated regularly to reflect temporal and spatial genotype fluctuations. In this matter, the genetic characterization of circulating and new emerging rotavirus strains will need to be compulsory and accurate. An extended classification system for rotaviruses in which all the 11 genomic RNA segments are used, has been proposed recently. The use of this classification system will help to elucidate the role of gene reassortments in the generation of genetic diversity, host range restriction, co-segregation of certain gene segments, and in adaptation to a new host species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we present a web-based tool that can be used for fast rotavirus genotype differentiation of all 11 group A rotavirus gene segments according to the new guidelines proposed by the <it>Rotavirus Classification Working Group </it>(RCWG).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>With the increasing sequencing efforts that are being conducted around the world to unravel complete rotavirus genomes of human and animal origin, this tool will be of great help to analyze and correctly classify the large amount of new data. The web-based tool is freely available at <url>http://rotac.regatools.be</url>.</p

Chromatography paper strip sampling of enteric adenoviruses type 40 and 41 positive stool specimens

BACKGROUND: The enteric subgroup F adenoviruses type 40 (Ad40) and 41 (Ad41) are the second most important cause of acute infantile gastroenteritis after rotaviruses. Repeated community outbreaks have been associated with antigenic changes among the Ad40 and Ad41 strains due to host immune pressure. Therefore large field epidemiological surveys and studies on the genetic variations in different isolates of Ad40 and Ad41 are important for disease control programs, the design of efficient diagnostic kits and vaccines against subgroup F adenoviruses. A novel method using sodium dodecyl sulphate SDS/EDTA-pretreated chromatography paper strips was evaluated for the collection, storage and shipping of Ad40/41 contaminated stool samples. RESULTS: This study shows that adenoviral DNA can be successfully detected in the filter strips by PCR after four months storage at -20°C, 4°C, room temperature (20–25°C) and 37°C. Furthermore no adenoviral infectivity was observed upon contact with the SDS/EDTA-pretreated strips. CONCLUSIONS: Collecting, storing and transporting adenovirus type 40 and 41 positive stool samples on SDS/EDTA-pretreated chromatography filter strips is a convenient, biosafe and cost effective method for studying new genome variants and monitoring spread of enteric adenovirus strains during outbreaks

Transitional cell carcinoma of suspected ureteral origin, with intra-abdominal and distant metastases in two horses

The present paper describes two cases of suspected urothelial carcinomas with local lymphatic metastases, and distant metastases in the lungs. In one case, liver metastases were also present. Both cases are documented with an extensive clinical report, using bloodwork, rectal examination, ultrasonography, cytology of abdominal fluid and, in one case, also urine analysis, radiography and transrectal biopsy to come to a diagnosis of abdominal malignancy. Subsequently, the post-mortem exam, histopathology and immunohistochemistry are described and illustrated

Opera: achter de schermen van de emotie

"Opera: behind the scene of the emotion" is a publication that focuses on the thinking processes behind the production and reception of opera. Considering that opera is received by its audience as an art form of emotion in the first place, the discussion is focused on the rationality behind the production of its overwhelming emotional impact. The publication deals with four topics: dramaturgy, opera criticism, historical study of opera, and structural organization and policy. The list of authors combines academic researchers with distinguished professionals. The discussion is developed around productions that have been produced or presented in the opera houses of Amsterdam, Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent during the last decades