How mainstream economists explain (or not) unemployment?

One of the tasks assigned to mainstream economists is to legitimize the significance of unemployment. This paper aims to reconstruct the evolution of their approaches from the theoretical impossibility asserted by Pigou to the recognition of involuntary unemployment by Keynes and eventually to different versions of the natural unemployment rate. The unemployment rate had become an instrument for fine-tuning of the economy, but it no longer fulfills this role. It is then the whole dominant macroeconomics that is shaken to its foundations. But this crisis might help to return to expansionary fiscal policies (a Green New Deal) and to the Job Guarantee, thus echoing Keynes' question: "There is work to do; there are men to do it. Why not bring them together?

Detection of pantothenic acid-immunoreactive neurons in the rat lateral septal nucleus by a newly developed antibody

Introduction. The available immunohistochemical techniques have documented restricted distribution of vitamins in the mammalian brain. The aim of the study was to develop a highly specific antiserum directed against pantothenic acid to explore the presence of this vitamin in the mammalian brain. Material and methods. According to ELISA tests, the anti-pantothenic acid antiserum used showed a good affinity (10–8 M) and specificity. The antiserum was raised in rabbits. Using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, the mapping of pantothenic acid-immunoreactive structures was carried out in the rat brain. Results. Pantothenic acid-immunoreactive perikarya were exclusively found in the intermediate part of the lateral septal nucleus. These cells were generally small, round, fusiform or pyramidal and showed 2–3 long (50–100 μm) immunoreactive dendrites. Any immunoreactive axons containing pantothenic acid were detected. Conclusions. The very restricted anatomical distribution of the pantothenic acid suggests that this vitamin could be involved in some specific neurophysiological mechanisms

Generation of specific antisera directed against D-amino acids: focus on the neuroanatomical distribution of D-glutamate and other D-amino acids

This review updates the findings about the anatomical distribution (using immunohistochemical techniques) and possible functions of D-glutamate in the central nervous system of mammals, as well as compares the distribution of D-glutamate with the distribution of the most studied D-amino acids: D-serine and D-aspartate. The protocol used to obtain highly specific antisera directed against D-amino acids is also reported. Immunoreactivity for D-glutamate was found in dendrites and cell bodies, but not in nerve fibers. Perikarya containing D-glutamate were found in the mesencephalon and thalamus. The highest density of cell bodies was found in the dorsal raphe nucleus, the mesencephalic central grey matter, the superior colliculus, and in the subparafascicular thalamic nucleus. In comparison with the distribution of immunoreactive cell bodies containing D-serine or D-aspartate, the distribution of D-glutamate-immunoreactive perikarya is less widespread. Currently, the physiological actions mediated by D-glutamate in the brain are unknown but the restricted neuroanatomical distribution of this D-amino acid suggests that D-glutamate could be involved in very specific physiological mechanisms. In this sense, the possible functional roles of D-glutamate are discussed

A new method to force-feed and rear adult newts on board a space station

We developed a force-feed method for the adults of the newt, Pleuradeles waltl (urodele amphibian) under microgravity conditions on board the Mir space station, because the animals cannot take food themselves under such conditions. A cosmonaut introduced a catheter through the mouth into the stomach. The catheter was connected to a syringe containing food and allowed him to dose the quantity of injected food. The selected food was a complete diet for dogs and cats called “Prescription diet Canine/Feline a/d" made in USA and produced by the Hill‘s Pet Nutrition SNC (Sofia-Antipolis, France). It was diluted, sterilized and conserved on board the Mir station at ambient temperature (20-30 C). The protocol of force-feeding was successfully performed on board the space station during five months. After the space mission, two females were in good health status. They laid fertilized eggs in flight and again in the ground laboratory after the landing. According to the results obtained with Pleurodeles females. such food could be used in future long space flights

The long-term impact of cancer: Evaluating psychological distress in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in Switzerland

Objectives Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are diagnosed with cancer during a critical life period full of psychosocial challenges. They may experience a significant impact of the cancer diagnosis on their psychological health, also in the long term. We aimed to (a) evaluate psychological distress in AYA cancer survivors and compare levels of distress with controls and (b) describe socio‐demographic and cancer‐related characteristics associated with psychological distress. Methods We sent a questionnaire to AYA cancer survivors (aged 16‐25 y at diagnosis, survived ≥5 y) registered in the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland. Psychological distress was measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory‐18 (BSI‐18) assessing anxiety, depression, and somatization and a global severity index (GSI) (cutoff score indicating psychological distress: T ≥ 57). Distress levels were compared between survivors and controls. We used logistic regression to determine associations of socio‐demographic and cancer‐related characteristics with distress. Results Of 160 AYA cancer survivors, 34 (21%) reported being distressed (27% in women, 17% in men; P = 0.129). Compared with controls, survivors did not report higher levels of distress (all P values > 0.05). Survivors with migration background and survivors with late effects reported higher levels on GSI, somatization, and anxiety. Higher levels of depression were associated with being female, not being in a partnership, and having late effects. Conclusions A substantial subgroup of AYA cancer survivors reported psychological distress. Systematically screening for distress and providing psychological follow‐up for survivors at risk may help to provide adequate psychological support

Factors influencing the adoption and participation rate of nursing homes staff in a saliva testing screening programme for COVID-19.

peer reviewedTesting strategies are crucial to prevent and control the spread of covid-19 but suffer from a lack of investment in understanding the human factors that influence their implementation. The aim of this study was to understand the factors that encourage participation and the level of engagement of nursing homes staff in a routine saliva testing programme for COVID-19 In December 2020, nursing homes (n = 571) in Wallonia (Belgium) were invited to participate in a saliva testing programme for their staff. The directors were questioned by telephone at the end of a 3-week pilot phase. 445 nursing homes took part in the evaluation questionnaire, of which 36(8%) answered that they chose not to participate in the testing programme. The average participation rate of nursing staff was 49(±25)%. Perception of the justification of the efforts required for testing and perception of practicability of the procedure were significantly associated with the adoption of the system by the nursing homes directors (OR(95%CI): 5.96(1.97-18.0), p = 0.0016); OR(95%CI): 5.64(1.94-16.4), p = 0.0015 respectively). Staff support, incentives and meetings increased the level of engagement in testing (p<0.05). While the adoption of the programme confirmed the acceptability of salivary testing as a means of screening, the participation rate confirmed the need for studies to understand the factors that encourage health care staff to take part. The results suggested rethinking strategies to consider staff engagement from a health promotion perspective

University population-based prospective cohort study of SARS-CoV- 2 infection and immunity (SARSSURV-ULiège): a study protocol

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