Saving, growth, and investment: a macroeconomic analysis using a panel of countries

This paper provides a descriptive analysis of the long- and short-run correlations among saving, investment, and growth rates for 123 countries over the period 1961-94. Three results are robust across data sets and estimation methods: i) lagges saving rates are positively related to investment rates; ii) investment rates Granger cause growth rates with a negative sign; iii) growth rates Granger-cause investment with a positive sign

Histopatología del osteosarcoma

El diagnóstico del osteosarcoma plantea una serie de problemas específicos. De hecho, se debe tener en cuenta la existencia de diversas variantes, con pronósticos diferentes y que requieren enfoques terapéuticos igualmente distintos. En este mismo sentido, la introducción de nuevos protocolos terapéuticos, incluyendo la quimioterapia preoperatoria, requiere una evaluación histopatológica cuidadosa del especimen a fin de cuantificar la necrosis inducida por la quimioterapia y los márgenes quirúrgicos. El presente estudio analiza las diferentes variantes histopatológicas y los problemas que se relacionan con la evaluación de los efectos de la quimioterapia preoperatoria sobre el especimen resecado.Diagnosis of osteosarcoma presents specific problems. In fact, several and different varieties, presenting different prognosis and requiring different treatments, have to be recognized. Moreover, the adoption of new therapeutic protocols including preoperative chemotherapy, requires a careful histopathological evaluation of the specimen to quantify the chemotherapy-induced necrosis and the surgical margins. This paper analyzes the different histopathological varieties and problems related to the evaluation of the effects on the resected specimen of preoperative chemotherapy

CMHC Adherence to National Mental Health Plan Standards in Italy: A Survey 30 Years After National Reform Law

none6OBJECTIVE: The PROG-CSM (Progetto Centri di Salute Mentale) survey was conducted in all Italian community mental health centers (CMHCs) with the aim of evaluating the extent to which these services adhered to the standards defined by the Italian National Mental Health Plan 1998-2000. METHODS: The policy recommendations of the Italian National Mental Health Plan were translated by a multidisciplinary group of experts into key indicators, including continuity of care, coordination with other community-based services, accessibility, implementation of specific programs, and provision of care. RESULTS: There was high adherence to the standards of the National Mental Health Plan in continuity of care and coordination with other services, but there were lower levels of accessibility and implementation of specific projects. CONCLUSIONS: CMHCs were sufficiently developed throughout Italy, and continuity of care and service coordination levels were satisfactory; however, adherence to the standards was unrelated to the duration of activity of the CMHCs.noneMunizza C.; Gonella R.; Pinciaroli L.; Rucci P.; Picci RL.; Tibaldi G.Munizza C.; Gonella R.; Pinciaroli L.; Rucci P.; Picci RL.; Tibaldi G

Supramolecular self-associating amphiphiles: determination of molecular self-association properties and calculation of critical micelle concentration using a high-throughput, optical density based methodology

Supramolecular self-associating amphiphiles are a class of amphiphilic salt, the anionic component of which is 'frustrated' in nature, meaning multiple hydrogen bonding modes can be accessed simultaneously. Here we derive critical micelle concentration values for four supramolecular self-associating amphiphiles using the standard pendant drop approach and present a new high-throughput, optical density measurement based methodology, to enable the estimation of critical micelle concentrations over multiple temperatures. In addition, we characterise the low-level hydrogen bonded self-association events in the solid state, through single crystal X-ray diffraction, and in polar organic DMSO-d(6) solutions using a combination of H-1 NMR techniques. Moving into aqueous ethanol solutions (EtOH/H2O or EtOH/D2O (1 : 19 v/v)), we also show these amphiphilic compounds to form higher-order self-associated species through a combination of H-1 NMR, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential studies

Extensive carrier testing and CF birth prevalence: evidence for a negative correlation

Aim of the study was to evaluate if extensive CF carrier testing may be connected with the progressive decrease of CF birth incidence recorded in North Eastern Italy. From 1993 to 2007 an average 52,000 newborns per year underwent Neonatal Screening (NS), and 198 newborns with CF were detected (1/3937). A time related contraction in birth prevalence was confirmed, with an average annual percent decrease of 0.15 per 10,000 neonates (Poisson regression analysis p 0.003). In the NS area two sections were identified: the Western Region (WR), where CF carrier testing is not offered to couples from the general population, and the Eastern Region (ER), where CF carrier testing is widely offered to couples from the general population. In ER from 1995 to 2007 such testing practice has been steadily expanding, with a total of 87,721 CF carrier tests performed, 3460 carriers identified, and 238 carrier couples detected (data collection in progress). The prevalence of CF decreased by time (p<0.001) but the rate of decrease was more enhanced in ER as suggested by the existence of a statistically significant (p = 0.014) interaction term between time and region in the Poisson regression model. The overall negative trend in North Eastern Italy is due to a contraction of CF births in its Eastern part. In ER a negative correlation was found between CF incidence and the number of carrier tests (p 0.012). Prenatal diagnosis data collection is in progress. These data support the hypothesis that carrier screening may modify the incidence of CF