Veto players and equilibrium uniqueness in the Baron-Ferejohn model

In political economy, the seminal contribution of the Baron–Ferejohn bargaining model constitutes an important milestone for the study of legislative policy making. In this paper, we analyze a particular equilibrium characteristic of this model, equilibrium uniqueness. The Baron–Ferejohn model yields a class of payoff-unique stationary subgame perfect equilibria (SSPE) in which players’ equilibrium strategies are not uniquely determined. We first provide a formal proof of the multiplicity of equilibrium strategies. This also enables us to establish some important properties of SSPE. We then introduce veto players into the original Baron–Ferejohn model. We state the conditions under which the new model has a unique SSPE not only in terms of payoffs but also in terms of players’ equilibrium strategies

When Is It Optimal to Delegate: The Theory of Fast-Track Authority

With fast-track authority (FTA), the US Congress delegates trade-policy authority to the President by committing not to amend a trade agreement. Why would it cede such power? We suggest an interpretation in which Congress uses FTA to forestall destructive competition between its members for protectionist rents. In our model: (i) FTA is never granted if an industry operates in the majority of districts; (ii) The more symmetric the industrial pattern, the more likely is FTA, since competition for protectionist rents is most punishing when bargaining power is symmetrically distributed; (iii) Widely disparate initial tari§s prevent free trade even with FTA

Fast-Track Authority: A Hold-Up Interpretation.

A central institution of US trade policy is Fast-Track Authority (FT), by whichCongress commits not to amend a trade agreement that is presented to it for ratifica-tion, but to subject the agreement to an up-or-down vote.We offer a new interpretation of FT based on a hold-up problem. If the US gov-ernment negotiates a trade agreement with the government of a smaller economy, asthe negotiations proceed, businesses in the partner economy, anticipating the openingof the US market to their goods, may make sunk investments to take advantage ofthe US market, such as quality upgrades to meet the expectations of the demandingUS consumer. As a result, when the time comes for ratification of the agreement, thepartner economy will be locked in to the US market in a way it was not previously.At this point, if Congress is able to amend the agreement, the partner country hasless bargaining power than it didex ante, and so Congress can make changes that areadverse to the partner. As a result, if the US wants to convince such a partner countryto negotiate a trade deal, it mustfirst commit not to amend the agreementex post.Inthis situation, FT is Pareto-improving

Fast-track authority: A hold-up interpretation

Under Fast-Track Authority (FT), the US Congress commits to an up-or-down vote without amendments for any trade agreement presented for ratification. We interpret FT in terms of a hold-up problem. If the US negotiates an agreement with a smaller economy, businesses there may make sunk investments for the US market. At the ratification stage, the partner economy will be locked in to the US in a way it was not previously and Congress can make changes adverse to the partner, so to convince the partner to negotiate, it must first commit not to amend the agreement. FT is then Pareto-improving

Global burden of human brucellosis : a systematic review of disease frequency

BACKGROUND: This report presents a systematic review of scientific literature published between 1990-2010 relating to the frequency of human brucellosis, commissioned by WHO. The objectives were to identify high quality disease incidence data to complement existing knowledge of the global disease burden and, ultimately, to contribute towards the calculation of a Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) estimate for brucellosis.METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirty three databases were searched, identifying 2,385 articles relating to human brucellosis. Based on strict screening criteria, 60 studies were selected for quality assessment, of which only 29 were of sufficient quality for data analysis. Data were only available from 15 countries in the regions of Northern Africa and Middle East, Western Europe, Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central Asia. Half of the studies presented incidence data, six of which were longitudinal prospective studies, and half presented seroprevalence data which were converted to incidence rates. Brucellosis incidence varied widely between, and within, countries. Although study biases cannot be ruled out, demographic, occupational, and socioeconomic factors likely play a role. Aggregated data at national or regional levels do not capture these complexities of disease dynamics and, consequently, at-risk populations or areas may be overlooked. In many brucellosis-endemic countries, health systems are weak and passively-acquired official data underestimate the true disease burden.CONCLUSIONS: High quality research is essential for an accurate assessment of disease burden, particularly in Eastern Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Central and South America and Africa where data are lacking. Providing formal epidemiological and statistical training to researchers is essential for improving study quality. An integrated approach to disease surveillance involving both human health and veterinary services would allow a better understand of disease dynamics at the animal-human interface, as well as a more cost-effective utilisation of resources

Ofloxacin plus Rifampicin versus Doxycycline plus Rifampicin in the treatment of brucellosis: a randomized clinical trial [ISRCTN11871179]

BACKGROUND: The combination therapies recommended by the World Health Organization for treatment of brucellosis are doxycycline plus rifampicin or doxycycline plus streptomycin. Although highly successful results have been obtained with these two regimens, relapse rates as high as 14.4%. The most effective and the least toxic chemotherapy for human brucellosis is still undetermined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy, adverse effects and cost of ofloxacin plus rifampicin therapy, and doxycycline plus rifampicin therapy and evaluate in the treatment of brucellosis. METHODS: The open trial has been carried out prospectively by the two medical centers from December 1999 to December 2001 in Duzce region Turkey. The diagnosis was based on the presence of signs and symptoms compatible with brucellosis including a positive agglutination titre (≥1/160) and/or a positive culture. Doxycycline and rifampicin group consisted of 14 patients who were given doxycycline 200 mg/day plus rifampicin 600 mg/day during 45 days and this group Ofloxacin plus rifampicin group was consisted of 15 patients who were given ofloxacin 400 mg/day plus rifampicin 600 mg/day during 30 days. RESULTS: Regarding clinical and/or demographic characteristics no significant difference was found between two groups of patients that underwent two different therapeutic regimens. At the end of the therapy, two relapses were seen in both groups (p = 0.695). Although duration of therapy was two weeks shorter in group treated with rifampicin plus ofloxacin, the cure rate was similar in both groups of examinees. Fever dropped more rapidly in the group that treated with rifampicin plus ofloxacin, 74 ± 30 (ranges 48–216) vs. 106 ± 26 (ranges 48–262) hours (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Ofloxacin plus rifampicin therapy has advantages of shorter treatment duration and provided shorter course of fever with treatment than in doxycycline plus rifampicin therapy. However, cost of ofloxacin plus rifampicin treatment is higher than doxycycline plus rifampicin treatment. Because of the similar effects, adverse effects and relapses rates between two regimens, we still advice doxycycline plus rifampicin for the treatment of brucellosis for countries, which have limited resources

Cytokinesis in bloodstream stage Trypanosoma brucei requires a family of katanins and spastin

Microtubule severing enzymes regulate microtubule dynamics in a wide range of organisms and are implicated in important cell cycle processes such as mitotic spindle assembly and disassembly, chromosome movement and cytokinesis. Here we explore the function of several microtubule severing enzyme homologues, the katanins (KAT80, KAT60a, KAT60b and KAT60c), spastin (SPA) and fidgetin (FID) in the bloodstream stage of the African trypanosome parasite, Trypanosoma brucei. The trypanosome cytoskeleton is microtubule based and remains assembled throughout the cell cycle, necessitating its remodelling during cytokinesis. Using RNA interference to deplete individual proteins, we show that the trypanosome katanin and spastin homologues are non-redundant and essential for bloodstream form proliferation. Further, cell cycle analysis revealed that these proteins play essential but discrete roles in cytokinesis. The KAT60 proteins each appear to be important during the early stages of cytokinesis, while downregulation of KAT80 specifically inhibited furrow ingression and SPA depletion prevented completion of abscission. In contrast, RNA interference of FID did not result in any discernible effects. We propose that the stable microtubule cytoskeleton of T. brucei necessitates the coordinated action of a family of katanins and spastin to bring about the cytoskeletal remodelling necessary to complete cell divisio

Существует ли связь между средним уровнем mIDkIne и прогнозом заболевания COVID-19?

   The objective was aimed to measure plasma midkine (MK)* levels in patients with COVID-19 and assess its clinical significance.   Materials and Methods. 88 patients observed in our hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. The patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical, and laboratory data were studied, and the relationship between MK levels, prognosis, and other parameters was investigated.   Results. Of the 88 patients included in the study, 43 (48.9 %) were female and 45 (51.1%) were male. 24 (27%) patients died. The mean age of non-survivors was 70 ± 12.3 years and the survivors were 61.9 ± 18.2 years. Mortality predictors such as D-dimer, ferritin, troponin, LDH, CRP, and procalcitonin were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (p < 0.05). The median MK level (IR) was 152.5 ± 125 pg/ml in all patients, 143 ± 149 pg/ml in survivors, and 165.5 ± 76 pg/ml in non-survivors (p = 0.546). The difference between these two groups was not statistically significant. The area under the ROC curve was found to be 0.542 (95% CI 0.423–0.661, p = 0.546).   Conclusion. MK is not a biomarker that can replace or reinforce known predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients.   Цель. Исследование направлено на измерение уровня Midkine (MK)* в плазме крови у пациентов с COVID-19 и оценку его клинической значимости.   Материалы и методы. В исследование включены 88 пациентов, наблюдавшихся в клинике с диагнозом COVID-19. Изучены демографические характеристики пациентов, клинические и лабораторные данные, а также исследована взаимосвязь между уровнями MK, прогнозом и другими параметрами.   Результаты. Из 88 пациентов, включенных в исследование, 43 (48,9 %) были женщинами и 45 (51,1 %) – мужчинами. 24 (27 %) пациента умерли. Средний возраст невыживших составил 70 ± 12,3 года, а выживших – 61,9 ± 18,2 года. Предикторы смертности, такие как D-димер, ферритин, тропонин, ЛДГ, СРБ и прокальцитонин, были значительно выше у умерших, чем у выживших (р < 0,05). Медиана уровня МК (IR) составила 152,5 ± 125 пг/мл у всех пациентов, 143 ± 149 пг/мл у выживших и 165,5 ± 76 пг/мл у умерших (р = 0,546). Разница между этими 2 группами была незначима. Было обнаружено, что площадь под кривой ROC составляет 0,542 (95 % ДИ 0,423–0,661, р = 0,546).   Вывод. МК не является биомаркером, который может заменить или усилить известные предикторы смертности у пациентов с COVID-19

Impact of antimicrobial drug restrictions on doctors' behaviors

Background/aim: Broad-spectrum antibiotics have become available for use only with the approval of infectious disease specialists (IDSs) since 2003 in Turkey. This study aimed to analyze the tendencies of doctors who are not disease specialists (non-IDSs) towards the restriction of antibiotics.Materials and methods: A questionnaire form was prepared, which included a total of 22 questions about the impact of antibiotic restriction (AR) policy, the role of IDSs in the restriction, and the perception of this change in antibiotic consumption. The questionnaire was completed by each participating physician.Results: A total of 1906 specialists from 20 cities in Turkey participated in the study. Of those who participated, 1271 (67.5%) had 5 years of occupational experience in their branch expressed that they followed the antibiotic guidelines more strictly than the JSs (P < 0.05) and 755 of physicians (88%) and 720 of surgeons (84.6%) thought that the AR policy was necessary and useful (P < 0.05).Conclusion: This study indicated that the AR policy was supported by most of the specialists. Physicians supported this restriction policy more so than surgeons did

Prime movers : mechanochemistry of mitotic kinesins

Mitotic spindles are self-organizing protein machines that harness teams of multiple force generators to drive chromosome segregation. Kinesins are key members of these force-generating teams. Different kinesins walk directionally along dynamic microtubules, anchor, crosslink, align and sort microtubules into polarized bundles, and influence microtubule dynamics by interacting with microtubule tips. The mechanochemical mechanisms of these kinesins are specialized to enable each type to make a specific contribution to spindle self-organization and chromosome segregation