Rethinking equilibrium conditions in macromonetary theory: A conceptually rigorous approach

Although still very much a minority view, there is a growing sense of unease about the high degree of abstraction involved in contemporary macro-monetary theory, in particular concerning its representative-agent microfoundation (see e.g. Colander et al., 2008; Goodhart, 2005, 2008; Buiter, 2009; Caballero, 2010; Hoover, 2010; Du Plessis, 2010; Meeusen, 2010). The paper shares this unease but questions another aspect of contemporary theory: its equilibrium conditions as consisting of its market coordination conditions and budget equation. The paper derives, from scratch, an alternative set of such conditions which it rigorously grounds in the nature of monetary exchange. This alternative set has implications for a wide variety of issues, including the aptness of MIU and CIA modelling, the nature of real and monetary disturbances, and the linkage between the financial and real sectors. The paper also assesses the conceptual soundness of commonly used constructs like Keynes’s income-spending (saving-investment) equation of IS analysis, Hicks’s wealth constraint, Fisher’s quantity equation, Walras’s Law, and the budget constraint of contemporary DSGE modelling.monetary exchange, equilibrium condition, budget equation, market coordination, market price

Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer treatment in daily practice, a descriptive study

Mulder, C.J.J. [Promotor]Loffeld, R.J.L.F. [Copromotor

Identifying Determinants for Neurobehavioral Morbidity in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a multisystem disorder characterized by the growth of hamartomas in multiple organ systems. The syndrome was described as early as 1835 by Rayer, and later by von Recklinghousen. In 1880, Bourneville described the syndrome in three patients and was the first to use the term ‘tuberous sclerosis’ to describe the potatolike consistency and hypertrophic sclerosis of the brain gyri at autopsy. The classical triad of seizures, intellectual disability, and adenoma sebaceum (angiofibromas) was first noted by Vogt in 1908. Since these early descriptions, many other presentations of TSC have been recognized and the diagnostic criteria have been refined to include clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics. The diagnostic criteria for TSC were most recently revised in 19983, (Table 1, diagnostic criteria). TSC has a birth incidence of 1:6000

Polynomial Optimization Methods

This thesis is an exposition of ideas and methods that help un- derstanding the problem of minimizing a polynomial over a basic closed semi-algebraic set. After the introduction of some the- ory on mathematical tools such as sums of squares, nonnegative polynomials and moment matrices, several Positivstellensa ̈tze are considered. Positivstellens ̈atze provide sums of squares represen- tations of polynomials, positive on basic closed semi-algebraic sets. Subsequently, semi-definite programming methods, in par- ticular based on Putinar’s Postivstellensatz, are considered. In order to use semi-definite programming, certain degree bounds are set. These bounds give rise to a hierarchy of approximations of the minimum of a polynomial, which will also be discussed. Finally, some new results are given that are obtained by looking at sums of squares representations of a positive polynomial when minimizing over the unit hypercube

Secular changes in severity of intellectual disability in tuberous sclerosis complex: A reflection of improved identification and treatment of epileptic spasms?

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2. Epilepsy occurs in 80 to 90% of affected individuals during their lifetime, and up to one third of children with TSC will develop epileptic (infantile) spasms, for which vigabatrin has been shown to be particularly effective. Epilepsy severity and epileptic spasms are consistent markers of risk for the development of intellectual impairment in TSC. While previous studies demonstrate a bimodal distribution of intellectual ability in TSC, recent findings suggest a unimodal distribution, which may reflect a change in IQ distribution over time. We compared three large historical UK cohorts of TSC (n=331) that show varied distributions of intellectual ability, first ruling out differences in study methodology. Later‐born individuals had a higher frequency of reported spasms and higher likelihood of vigabatrin administration, but were less likely to have profound intellectual impairment, compared to the earlier‐born individuals. Our findings suggest that epileptic spasms went undetected in the older patients and therefore were not treated, leading to a higher occurrence of profound impairment, whereas the later born cohort had better access to treatment. These findings support the importance of early identification and treatment of seizures in TSC

Improving the quality of quality improvement in health care: case studies of provider office practices in the use of assisted office systems analysis within a quality improvement project

Quality improvement (QI) is an important activity expected of the U.S. health care system. A method of performing QI that meets the needs of small health care organizations has not been well defined. Office practices have limited time to invest in QI. This multiple case study explored a method of QI based on workflow analysis, AA3, and measured its acceptance by staff and its effect both on office processes and clinical outcomes. The study used a prospective, mixed methods approach to explore three Vermont primary care practices engaged in different QI projects: improving pediatric lead screen rates, integrating behavioral health services, and increasing the percentage of "After Visit Summaries" provided to patients. Data were collected from qualitative and quantitative sources. Each case was analyzed using non-equivalent dependent variable pattern matching over time along with observations about dependent and independent variables. The results of cross case analysis revealed that median survey scores show higher than neutral responses for all sites regarding acceptance and clinical outcomes; two of three sites also produced high median scores for process outcomes. Team members rated AA3 method very highly as a method of QI. However, the time series studies, measuring changes in survey scores from pre- to post-periods, were not significant. Qualitative analysis revealed other insights: the importance of "organizational slack" to enable staff to engage in QI, the impact of the "big picture" in translating change to the work place, and the value of reinforcing changes that benefit the staff as well as the patient. All of these features are available via AA3, combining process and clinical outcomes improvement in a single QI method. These findings are consistent with management theory regarding change. The results of this study indicated that AA3 may have a positive effect on the outcomes of QI and is worth further study. It provides support for grant-based research, both to improve the AA3 method and to explore how it may help translate policy into practice effectively. It can also provide the basis for future education of clinicians and health care leaders in the use of QI as part of clinical practice

Macroeconomics without laws : methodological and theoretical aspects

This study develops an economic methodology in which,behavioural laws (in the sense of necessary connections between cause and effect) play no essential role. Hayek and Menger are important sources of inspiration. Economic behaviour is explained by way of tendencies rather than laws and insight into economic phenomena is gained by laying bare their "action structure" in which behavioural explanation and behavioural laws play no role. This methodology is applied to the explanation of macroeconomic coordination. The appropriate equilibrium conditions are developed and the relevant tendencies away from or towards equilibrium are identified. The institutions responsible for these tendencies are identified and anarysed. In the light of these findings, pre-Keynesian macroeconomics, the macroeoconomics of Walrasian theory, as well as Keynes's General Theory itself are critically assessed.Economics and Management SciencesD. Comm. (Economics

Extramural Venous Invasion as Prognostic Factor of Recurrence in Stage 1 and 2 Colon Cancer

Aim. Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) is a prognostic indicator in patients with colorectal cancer. However, its additional value in patients with stage 1 and 2 colorectal cancer is uncertain. In the present study, the incidence of EMVI and the hazard ratio for recurrence in patients with stage 1 and 2 colon cancer were studied. Methods. 184 patients treated for stage 1 and 2 colon cancer were included with a follow-up of at least 5 years. Chart review was performed and EMVI was assessed by two separate pathologists. EMVI was scored with additional caldesmon staining on the resection specimen. Primary outcomes were recurrence-free survival (RFS) measured through the Cox regression analysis and prevalence of EMVI. Results. There were 10 cases of EMVI and 3 cases of intramural venous invasion (IMVI) all occurring in patients with stage 2 disease corresponding to a prevalence of 9%. Thirty-one percent of the patients with venous invasion experienced recurrence versus 14% in patients without, corresponding with a hazard ratio of 2.39 (p=0.11). Conclusion. The present study demonstrates a trend towards an increased risk of recurrence in patients with stage 2 colon cancer with venous invasion. This warrants consideration of adjuvant chemotherapy despite the lack of lymph node metastases