Enhancing EU Resource Governance Interventions: A Call for Prioritising Human Security

In response to resource-fuelled conflicts in producer countries, EU foreign policy initiatives have sought to enhance ‘good governance’ throughout the value chain for an increasing number of primary commodities. EU-supported reforms of natural resource sectors are centrally informed by the concept of formalisation. Using the cases of diamond sector reform in Sierra Leone and timber sector reform in Liberia, this briefing aims to highlight the shortcomings inherent in formalisation-oriented approaches. We suggest that the notion of human security is better suited to guide EU intervention in natural resource sectors and their evaluation. Formalisation approaches tend to favour activities – and red tape – that have yet to be linked to lasting benefits for producer societies. In contrast, a human security approach promotes policies that focus on tangible results at the local level of society, especially for those most affected by natural resource extraction

Skew-normal shocks in the linear state space form DSGE model

Observed macroeconomic data – notably GDP growth rate, inflation and interest rates – can be, and usually are skewed. Economists attempt to fit models to data by matching first and second moments or co-moments, but skewness is usually neglected. It is so probably because skewness cannot appear in linear (or linearized) models with Gaussian shocks, and shocks are usually assumed to be Gaussian. Skewness requires non-linearities or non-Gaussian shocks. In this paper we introduce skewness into the DSGE framework assuming skewed normal distribution for shocks while keeping the model linear (or linearized). We argue that such a skewness can be perceived as structural, since it concerns the nature of structural shocks. Importantly, the skewed normal distribution nests the normal one, so that skewness is not assumed, but only allowed for. We derive elementary facts about skewness propagation in the state space model and, using the well-known Lubik-Schorfheide model, we run simulations to investigate how skewness propagates from shocks to observables in a standard DSGE model. We also assess properties of an ad hoc two-steps estimator of models’ parameters, shocks’ skewness parameters among them.

SOEPL 2009 – An Estimated Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Model for Policy Analysis And Forecasting

The paper documents elements of work on the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) SOEPL model that has been carried out in recent years at the National Bank of Poland. In 2009 a new version of the model was developed (called SOEPL−2009) which in 2010 is to support an econometric model and experts’ forecasts in mid-term forecasting of inflation and economic activity. The paper consists of three basic parts. The first part is introductory and briefly outlines the development of macroeconometric methods which brought about the creation of new-keynesian models specified within the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium approach. The remaining two parts of the paper report specification, estimation results and some properties of the SOEPL−2009 DSGE model.

Low opioid and opioid-free anesthesia - a review of current data

Introduction: Opioids are one of the most frequently used drugs during anesthesia. Due to the side effects anesthesiologists try to limit their number during anesthesia. They use low-opioid and opioid-free anesthesia.  Purpose: The purpose of this work is to present the current state of knowledge and recent reports on low-opioid and non-opioid anesthesia and their use.  Materials and Methods: The search was conducted using PubMed and GoogleScholar databases. Articles were searched in English using the following keywords: "low-opioid anesthesia," "non-opioid anesthesia," "OFA," "LOA"  Key words: "low-opioid anesthesia", "non-opioid anesthesia", "OFA", "LOA", "opioids".  Conclusion: low-opioid anesthesia techniques are being used more and more frequently and reduce the incidence of opioid side effects: respiratory depression, postoperative nausea and vomiting. This helps ensure greater patient safety and shortens the postoperative recovery period.&nbsp

MANAGING UTILITY COMPANIES IN DYNAMIC MARKETS

Uznapredovala liberalizacija tržišta sve je veći izazov sustavima upravljanja kakvi se primjenjuju u javnim poduzećima. Javlja se potreba za organizacijskim i procesnim preustrojem u tri područja: strukture grupe, sustavi upravljanja i organizacija za upravljanje/financijsku analizu i praćenje. Za tvrtke u ovom sektoru bitno je da sustavno podižu razinu svojih sustava upravljanja te da usvoje najviše međunarodne standarde. No jednako je važna temeljito upravljanje promjenama kako bi se osigurala puna provedba izrađenih strategija. U ovom se članku istražuje što se može učiniti u tri spomenuta područja kako bi se osiguralo da se javnim poduzećima upravlja u skladu s najnovijim dostignućima. Teorija se potom konkretizira primjenom jednog stvarnog slučaja – riječ je o novijem projektu što ga tvrtka Roland Berger vodi za jedno srednjoeuropsko javno poduzeće.The advance of market liberalization is posing an increasing challenge to the management systems operated by utility companies. A need for organizational and process realignment in three areas – group structures, management systems and management/financial analysis and monitoring organization – is coming to light. It is vital for companies in this sector to enhance their management systems systematically and to learn from international benchmarks. Just as important, though, is thorough change management to ensure that the strategies developed are fully implemented. This article explores what can be done in these three areas to ensure that utilities are managed in line with the state of the art. The theory is then fleshed out by a real-world case study – a recent project conducted by Roland Berger for a Central European utility company

Low opioid and opioid-free anesthesia - a review of current data

Introduction: Opioids are one of the most frequently used drugs during anesthesia. Due to the side effects anesthesiologists try to limit their number during anesthesia. They use low-opioid and opioid-free anesthesia.  Purpose: The purpose of this work is to present the current state of knowledge and recent reports on low-opioid and non-opioid anesthesia and their use.  Materials and Methods: The search was conducted using PubMed and GoogleScholar databases. Articles were searched in English using the following keywords: "low-opioid anesthesia," "non-opioid anesthesia," "OFA," "LOA"  Key words: "low-opioid anesthesia", "non-opioid anesthesia", "OFA", "LOA", "opioids".  Conclusion: low-opioid anesthesia techniques are being used more and more frequently and reduce the incidence of opioid side effects: respiratory depression, postoperative nausea and vomiting. This helps ensure greater patient safety and shortens the postoperative recovery period.

How to diagnose, treat and prevent from hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia?

Introduction and purpose: hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia are common risk factors for morbidity and mortality. They are difficult to diagnose and treat due to the large number of factors that may contribute to the deterioration of the clinical condition of critically ill patients. In this article, the authors summarize the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these diseases based on current guidelines, the latest research and other scientific works. Material and metod: sources available in the PubMed database were analyzed using the following keywords: "pneumonia", "hospital-acquired pneumonia", "ventilator-associated pneumonia", "HAP", "VAP", publications related to the subject of the work were selected and used. Conclusion: A patient with HAP or VAP should undergo non-invasive testing such as blood and sputum cultures and nasal swabs to isolate the pathogen responsible for the infection and to adjust antibiotic therapy. The procalcitonin level can be used in conjunction with the clinical assessment to assess the adjustment of the duration of treatment. Patients with HAP or VAP who are immunocompromised, haemodynamically unstable, or cannot be sampled from the lower respiratory tract for microbiological testing should be treated with empiric antibiotics based on individual risk factors and antibiotic resistance

Cystic Fibrosis - a very common genetic disease among the population - a general review

Cystic fibrosis is the most common genetic disease inherited in an autosomal recessive manner occurring among populations of Caucasian descent. It is an incurable, multi-composition monogenic disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CFTR protein, which is a membrane conduction regulator. Mutations of the CFTR gene can cause symptoms from many organs and systems as a result of extracellular secretion disorders, but the main symptoms of this disease are related to the respiratory system and digestive system. Although a lot of changes have occurred in regards to treating the disease and making the lives of sick patients easier and longer, there is still a long way to go. New therapy methods bring a lot hope and get us closer to reaching the ultimate goal of successfully treating all patients with CF. In this review, we summarize the information available about CF for the present moment, diagnostic methods, current methods of treatment and discuss possible future outcomes of therapy

Major depression disorder - etiology and treatment

Introduction and purpose: The problem of major depression disorder (MDD) affects more and more people. In a few years, it may become the most common disease after cardiovascular diseases and cancer. MDD are manifested by a depressed mood, decreased energy, loss of interest and the ability to enjoy life, as well as a number of other additional symptoms. Untreated MDD can lead to disability. This entails not only consequences for the sick person but also increased social costs. That is why it is so important to know the causes of its formation and to look for new therapeutic methods. State of knowledge: The development of MDD is influenced by genetic factors, inflammatory factors and hormonal disorders, changes in the structure of the brain, disorders in neurotransmission. The microbiome-gut-brain axis affects mood regulation and neurotransmission in the brain. Bacteria such as Escherichia, Shigella, Enterococcus, Streptococccus, Alistipes, Parabacterioides, Veillonella have been identified as having a potential negative effect on the development of MDD and response to treatment. The use of probiotics containing Lactobacillus helveticus R0052, Bifidobacterium longum and Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 may help reduce the symptoms of MDD. In recent years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the intranasal preparation of esketamine for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with severe suicidal thoughts. Unlike other antidepressants, it has a quick effect on reducing symptoms. Summary: Due to the global problem of MDD, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of its formation. Particular attention should be paid to the influence of microbiota