Issues in socialist economy reform

This paper examines issues involving the design and sequence of economic reform in formerly socialist economies that have made the political decision to move to a private market economy. They also examine the potential role of foreign countries in providing aid, technical assistance, and market access. In economies that are actually or potentially unstable macroeconomically, the first priority is macroeconomic stabilization and measures to harden budget constraints and create an emergency social safety net. At the center of the reform process are price reform, trade liberalization, enterprise restructuring, and privatization. Banking reform, training, and the development of other financial markets must begin immediately, but the ability of the financial system to allocate resources efficiently will remain limited until enterprise and price reform are sufficiently advanced. In systemwide reform, the notice of sequencing should be replaced by that of packaging. A large number of interrelated reforms - including those needed to create an appropriate legal structure and develop the skills needed in a market economy - has to be put in place very early, although the speed of implementation will differ. However rapidly the reforms are initiated, their completion - especially privatization - is bound to take many years.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Markets and Market Access,Access to Markets

A theoretical study of mass transfer from an internally circulating liquid drop

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Inventories, Rational Expectations, and the Business Cycle

The simplest macroeconomic models in which markets clear instantaneously, and expectations are rational preclude the existence of "business cycles," that is, of serially correlated deviations of output from trend. This paper studies one of several mechanisms that can be used to make these so-called "new-classical" models produce business cycles; the mechanism is the gradual adjustment of inventory stocks. Two microeconomic models of inventory holdings are formulated. Both imply, first, that current output should be a decreasing function of the stock of inventories and, second, that inventories, once perturbed from equilibrium levels, should adjust only gradually. These two features are then embedded into an otherwise standard macroeconomic model in which markets clear instantaneously and expectations are rational. Two principal conclusions are reached. First, disturbances such as unanticipated changes in money will set in motion serially correlated deviations of output from trend. Second, if desired inventories are sensitive to the real interest rate, then even fully anticipated changes in money can affect real variables.

A simulation of a distributed file system

This thesis presents a simulation of a distributed file system. It is a simplified version of the distributed file system found in the LOCUS distributed operating system. The simulation models a network of multiuser computers of any configuration. The number of sites in the network can range from a minimum of three sites to a maximum of twenty. A simple database management system is supported that allows the creation of an indexed database for reading and updating records. The distributed file system supports a transaction mechanism, record level locking, file replication and update propagation, and network transparency. To test the effect of site failures and network partitioning on the distributed file system, a facility is provided to crash , reboot , and jump to random sites in the network

Skript : an extendable language flexible avatar control framework for VR applications

This thesis covers the design and implementation of a framework for the integration of avatars into Virtual Reality (VR) applications. Specifically, the work focuses on a language flexible method of scripting avatars to perform a series of actions. This framework can be integrated with other packages that allow the avatars to be controlled by influences beyond just the script. These other packages can be crowd simulation algorithms, or some other behavior modeling algorithms that simulate certain situations. More importantly, these packages can also enable the avatars to be aware of the VR application user, and therefore can enhance the user experience. The use of this framework simplifies the development of a user aware avatar application. Finally, this framework was integrated with an existing VR application; a reconstruction of a Hindu temple. The results of this integration and the insight gained from it will be examined

The utility of CSF PCR in central nervous system Varicella zoster infection in HIV

Includes bibliographical referencesAims: To assess the clinical and cerebrospinal fluid characteristics, and the role of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) as a confounder, in a cohort of HIV positive individuals with positive varicella zoster virus (VZV) positive cerebrospinal fluid PCR. Methods: Patients in the NHLS database at Groote Schuur Hospital with positive CSF VZV PCR who were also HIV co-infected and whose folders were available for clinical review were reviewed. Clinical and biochemical data were collected. Patients were divided into two groups based an accepted case definition for TBM. Differences between groups were assessed using Mann-Whitney U or Chi squared tests as appropriate. Results: There were 437 for VZV PCR over three years. Of these 98 were positive and, after exclusions, 31 HIV positive patients were included for further analysis. Median age was 31 and median CD4 count was 146 cells/mm³. 11 (35%) had meningitis and 8 (25%) had encephalitis. 13 (42%) met the case definition for TBM. Patients with CNS varicella were frequently confused whereas those with TBM presented sub-acutely. There were no differences in CSF characteristics. Additional organisms were detected 6 (19%) patients. 4 (13%) patients died in hospital. CSF TB culture was requested in 24 (77%) patients and extra CNS samples were sent in only 4 patients. Conclusion: The clinical and CSF presentation of CNS Varicella and TBM overlap and in this cohort patients were under investigated for TB. In settings of high TB prevalence the possibility of false positive PCR or incidental varicella reactivation should be considered

Strengthening Networks and Building Relationships to Increase the Impact of Global Development Research

Development research can contribute to improvements in policy and practice, research capacity and evidence-based policymaking processes. Achieving these kinds of impacts is most often a complex, multifaceted, political and contested process that, ultimately, depends on changing the attitudes and behaviours of key actors. Strengthening the linkages between research and policy depends on the development of strong relationships between networks of stakeholders that will be able to directly effect change or influence those who are in a position to do so. This Learning Guide seeks to draw out some of the key lessons on successful approaches to developing and maintaining effective relationships and strong networks for impact.ESRC-DFI