An Estimated New Keynesian Model for Israel

We formulate and estimate a small New Keynesian model for the Israeli economy. Our goal is to construct a small but still realistic model that can be used to support the inflation targeting process. The model contains three structural equations: An open economy Phillips curve for CPI inflation (excluding the housing component), an aggregate demand curve for the output gap and an interest parity condition for the nominal exchange rate. The model is closed with an interest rate reaction function (Taylor-type rule) and an ad hoc equation for the housing component of the CPI, which is dominated by exchange rate changes. In the specification of the model we had to pay special attention to the crucial role of the exchange rate in the transmission of monetary policy in Israel, which has a direct effect on almost 60 percent of the CPI. The model is estimated by the GMM method, using quarterly data for the period 1992:I to 2005:IV. In the estimation of the structural equations we tried to remain as close as possible to the theoretical formulation by restricting the dynamics to one lag at most. We use the model to characterize an "optimal" simple interest rate rule. We find that the monetary authority should respond to an hybrid backward-forward looking rate of inflation and does not benefit from direct reaction to exchange rate measures.

The Ideological Differences Between Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Movement With Special Reference to Surendranath Banerjea and Lajpat Rai 1883-1919.

Surendranath Banerjea was typical of the 'moderates' in the Indian National Congress while Lajpat Rai typified the 'extremists'. This thesis seeks to portray critical political biographies of Surendranath Banerjea and of Lajpat Rai within a general comparative study of the moderates and the extremists, in an analysis of political beliefs and modes of political action in the Indian national movement, 1883-1919. It attempts to mirror the attitude of mind of the two nationalist leaders against their respective backgrounds of thought and experience, hence events in Bengal and the Punjab loom larger than in other parts of India

Multiple-shower thromboembolism in an artificial mitral valve patient

BACKGROUND: Late acute left atrial thrombosis is a rare life-threatening complication that mostly appears with predisposing primary coagulopathy, such as Protein C, Protein S, antithrombin 3 deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome or hyperhomocysteinemia. We present grave outcome due to lack of anticoagulation in a patient with artificial mitral valve. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old male known to have an artificial valve was hospitalized in another hospital due to an acute illness. Anti-coagulation therapy was not provided during that hospitalization. He was transferred to our hospital due to lower limb weakness and diagnosed by us as having extensive emboli disease with complete occlusion of the distal aorta. Multiple infarcts were found in the abdominal organs and leg muscles. He suffered from multiple organ failure and eventually died. CONCLUSION: Neglecting the common practice of anticoagulation to a patient with a mechanical heart valve may, in rare cases, lead to immediate catastrophic event caused by shower thrombemboli with disseminated vascular occlusion from the left atrium to the abdominal aorta causing complete occlusion, spleen, kidney and muscle infarcts

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma presenting as giant kidneys: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma is a rare form of tumor of the lymph nodes or lymphoid tissue. In this report we describe an unusual presentation of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma consisting of giant kidneys with no nephrotic syndrome.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 46-year-old Arabic man from Gaza was hospitalized in our ward due to abdominal pain and a weight loss of 20 kg during the preceding two months. The results of the physical examination and laboratory tests raised the possibility of neoplastic disease. A computerized tomographic scan of the abdomen showed huge kidneys, and a kidney biopsy showed infiltration by lymphocytes and eosinophils. The genetic examination revealed T-cell lymphoma. Diagnosis was made by a lymph node biopsy, which shows typical findings of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma can present with huge kidneys without nephrotic syndrome.</p

The Role of Bile Acid Excretion in Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease

The impact of cholesterol and different classes of lipoproteins on the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been investigated in extensively during the past 50 years. The cholesterol metabolism is dependent on numerous factors, including dietary fat, fractional absorption of dietary cholesterol, tissue stores of cholesterol, endogenous cholesterol synthesis, and fecal bile excretion. Several studies showed significantly lower amounts of bile acid secretion in adult patients with CAD compared to non-CAD patients. Could it be that the inability to efficiently excrete bile acids may lead to CAD development

Private Investment and Terrorism in African States

The African continent is a region of increasing economic opportunity and threats of terrorism. What accounts for these seemingly contradictory trends? This study argues that the recent terrorism rise is partly due to increasing investment by multinational corporations (MNCs) in Africa. I examine MNC investment in infrastructure through the mechanism of Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI). I argue that greater infrastructure investment gives African states the incentive and military capacity to reassert control over territories previously lost to violent non-state actors. MNCs introduce a third party into the bargaining between militants and governments over resource control. Since MNC investment empowers the state, the resulting territorial contestation may induce non-state actors to respond with terrorism. I argue that African states will experience increasing terrorist attacks as PPI increases and furthers the process of state consolidation. Increasing PPI gives terrorist campaigns an initial burst of resolve to prolong their initiatives. However, I ultimately assert that if this PPI investment is allowed to appreciate through initial periods of increased violence, African states can eventually use this new power to accelerate the demise of terrorist groups. Sustained MNC investment will strengthen African governments and decrease the survivability of terrorist campaigns. I test these predictions on terrorist attacks and campaigns in the post Cold War period from 1990-2006.Bachelor of Art

Drug-induced peripheral neuropathies

Review of the various drugs in current clinical use showed that over 50 of them may cause a purely sensory or mixed sensorimotor neuropathy. These include antimicrobials, such as isoniazid, ethambutol, ethionamide, nitrofurantoin, and metronidazole; antineoplastic agents, particularly vinca alkaloids; cardiovascular drugs, such as perhexiline and hydrallazine; hypnotics and psychotropics, notable methaqualone; antirheumatics, such as gold, indomethacin, and chloroquine; anticonvulsants, particularly phenytoin; and other drugs, including disulfiram, calcium carbimide, and dapsone. Patients receiving drug treatment who complain of paraesthesie, pain, muscle cramps, or other abnormal sensations and those without symptoms who are receiving drugs that are known or suspected to be neurotoxic should undergo neurological examination and studies of motor and sensory nerve conduction. This will allow the incidence of drug-induced peripheral neuropathy to be determined more precisely

An Estimated New Keynesian Model for Israel

We formulate and estimate a small New Keynesian model for the Israeli economy. Our goal is to construct a small but still realistic model that can be used to support the inflation targeting process. The model contains three structural equations: An open economy Phillips curve for CPI inflation (excluding the housing component), an aggregate demand curve for the output gap and an interest parity condition for the nominal exchange rate. The model is closed with an interest rate reaction function (Taylor-type rule) and an ad hoc equation for the housing component of the CPI, which is dominated by exchange rate changes. In the specification of the model we had to pay special attention to the crucial role of the exchange rate in the transmission of monetary policy in Israel, which has a direct effect on almost 60 percent of the CPI. The model is estimated by the GMM method, using quarterly data for the period 1992:I to 2005:IV. In the estimation of the structural equations we tried to remain as close as possible to the theoretical formulation by restricting the dynamics to one lag at most. We use the model to characterize an "optimal" simple interest rate rule. We find that the monetary authority should respond to an hybrid backward-forward looking rate of inflation and does not benefit from direct reaction to exchange rate measures