Merger Theory and Evidence: The Baby-Food Case Reconsidered

The Federal Trade Commission’s successful challenge to the proposed merger of Heinz and Beech-Nut baby food operations in 2001 remains a controversial case that raises concern over the role of cost efficiencies in merger analysis. Although the FTC argued that the merger would result in an increased likelihood of coordinated effects, we develop an alternative explanation for why the merger was likely to harm consumers even in the absence of such cooperation. We show that a conventional model of vertical product differentiation is able to replicate the premerger market data. Vertical product differentiation assumes that consumers agree on the relative quality of different products, which seems to describe the baby food market. When the model is then used to determine potential post-merger outcomes, we find that only using the most favorable assumptions for Heinz, would the claimed cost-efficiencies have been passed on to consumers. Under any more conservative and realistic scenarios, consumer prices rise substantially. The analysis supports the decision to oppose the merger. It also raises some doubt about the merit of cost efficiencies as a merger defense when an industry is characterized by vertical product differentiation.

The Distortion of Drugs: War, Discrimination, and Profit

My generation was born into and grew up exposed to the “war on drugs”. We saw announcements on television, were talked to by parents and teachers, and saw individuals affected by substance abuse. Although the term war on drugs is not used as freely now, its effects, consequences and gains are still playing a role in our society and culture. I performed a content analysis of public service announcements and presidential rhetoric and I interviewed six people: there were hidden motives prevalent throughout the war on drugs, especially in the selection and presentation of information given to the public. Drug information was presented using themes of a war model society, racial discrimination, and political expediency. The propaganda used in the war on drugs was used in a particular fashion, to criminalize African Americans. However, the distortion of information used not only perpetuated racial stereotypes but also contributed to the epidemics of prescription and opioid drug use occurring today. Though the war on drugs resembled a fight for social justice and purification, its harmful tactics caused disillusionment for the American public. This war has changed over time and is currently being reborn with a tone of open-mindedness towards drug addiction and treatment

Examining Bridges Between Informal and Formal Learning Environments: A Sequential Mixed Method Design

The purpose of this sequential mixed method study was to identify schools implementing a technology-based engineering design intervention in a way that connects or bridges formal learning environments of the school-day to informal learning environments such as afterschool programs. Further, this study investigated educators’ decisions that enabled or facilitated bridging between formal and informal learning environments. This cooperation and/or linking between informal and formal learning time is bridging. Participants included public schools (n=16) in Eastern Nebraska that incorporated the Nebraska Wearables Technology (WearTec) program at their school, club or Out-of-School-Time program during the 2015-2016 school year. Three of the schools bridged formal and informal environments. For this study descriptive statistics were used to analyze the implementation of the WearTec curriculum and as a means to select schools which bridged the formal and informal learning environments. Interviews with a priori codes and thematic analysis were analyzed in a matching/exploratory case study of the schools that bridged formal and informal learning environments (n=3). Thematic and descriptive analysis of interviews suggests a pair of educators can create a bridge due to the WearTec curriculum, state standards, and interpersonal communication. Also, a single formal day teacher can create a bridge by creating informal learning opportunities in out-of-school time. Advisor: Bradley Barke

Examining Bridges Between Informal and Formal Learning Environments: A Sequential Mixed Method Design

The purpose of this sequential mixed method study was to identify schools implementing a technology-based engineering design intervention in a way that connects or bridges formal learning environments of the school-day to informal learning environments such as afterschool programs. Further, this study investigated educators’ decisions that enabled or facilitated bridging between formal and informal learning environments. This cooperation and/or linking between informal and formal learning time is bridging. Participants included public schools (n=16) in Eastern Nebraska that incorporated the Nebraska Wearables Technology (WearTec) program at their school, club or Out-of-School-Time program during the 2015-2016 school year. Three of the schools bridged formal and informal environments. For this study descriptive statistics were used to analyze the implementation of the WearTec curriculum and as a means to select schools which bridged the formal and informal learning environments. Interviews with a priori codes and thematic analysis were analyzed in a matching/exploratory case study of the schools that bridged formal and informal learning environments (n=3). Thematic and descriptive analysis of interviews suggests a pair of educators can create a bridge due to the WearTec curriculum, state standards, and interpersonal communication. Also, a single formal day teacher can create a bridge by creating informal learning opportunities in out-of-school time. Advisor: Bradley Barke

Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema: items that need to be addressed in practice parameter

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare, autosomal dominant (AD) disorder caused by a C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-inh) deficiency or qualitative defect. Treatment of HAE in many parts of the world fall short and certain items need to be addressed in future guidelines.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To identify those individuals who should be on long-term prophylaxis for HAE. Additionally, to determine if prodromal symptoms are sensitive and specific enough to start treatment with C-1 INH and possibly other newly approved therapies. Also, to discuss who is appropriate to self-administer medications at home and to discuss training of such patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A literature review (PubMed and Google) was performed and articles published in peer-reviewed journals, which addressed HAE prophylaxis, current HAE treatments, prodromal symptoms of HAE and self-administration of injected home medications were selected, reviewed and summarized.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Individuals whom have a significant decrease in QOL or have frequent or severe attacks and who fail or are intolerant to androgens should be considered for long-term prophylaxis with C1INH. Prodromal symptoms are sensitive, but non-specific, and precede acute HAE attacks in the majority of patients. Although the treatment of prodromal symptoms could lead to occasional overtreatment, it could be a viable option for those patients able to adequately predict their attacks. Finally, self-administration, has been shown to be feasible, safe and effective for patients who require IV therapy for multiple other diseases to include, but not limited to, hemophilia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Prophylactic therapy, treatment at the time of prodromal symptoms and self-administration at home all should allow a reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with HAE.</p

The Efficiencies Defense in Mergers: The Baby-Food Case Reconsidered

The Federal Trade Commission’s successful challenge to the proposed merger of Heinz and Beech-Nut baby food operations in 2001 remains a controversial case that raises concern over the role of cost efficiencies in merger analysis. Although the FTC argued that the merger would result in an increased likelihood of coordinated effects, we develop an alternative explanation for why the merger was likely to harm consumers even in the absence of such cooperation. We show that a conventional model of vertical product differentiation is able to replicate the premerger market data. Vertical product differentiation assumes that consumers agree on the relative quality of different products, which seems to describe the baby food market. When the model is then used to determine potential post-merger outcomes, we find that only using the most favorable assumptions for Heinz, would the claimed cost-efficiencies have been passed on to consumers. Under any more conservative and realistic scenarios, consumer prices rise substantially. The analysis supports the decision to oppose the merger. It also raises some doubt about the merit of cost efficiencies as a merger defense when an industry is characterized by vertical product differentiation

Existe-t-il un « art africain » ?

Crise de mauvaise conscience passagère ou signe annonciateur d’un rééquilibrage ? L’art vivant africain fait l’objet en Occident d’une attention qui, jusqu’alors, lui était refusée. L’indice le plus certain en est la tenue à Düsseldorf et Londres, puis à Paris au Centre Pompidou de l’exposition Africa Remix, qui doit achever son itinéraire à Tokyo, et la publication d’un catalogue considérable. Ce dernier, dans sa version française, diffère des éditions allemandes et britanniques. Non seuleme..