Self-defeating austerity? Evidence from 1930s' Britain

Self-defeating austerity entails “perverse effects” of fiscal consolidation such that fiscal indicators deteriorate. Inter alia, this depends on the size of the fiscal multiplier as Keynes (1933. The Means to Prosperity. London: Macmillan) underlined. We find that the government-expenditure multiplier was less than 1 in 1930s' Britain. Austerity was not self-defeating in the long run and even its initial impact probably did not raise the public debt-to-GDP ratio. In the later 1930s, there was a “fiscal free lunch” in that deficit-financed government spending would have improved public finances enough to pay for the interest on the extra debt

Stochastic oscillations of adaptive networks: application to epidemic modelling

Adaptive-network models are typically studied using deterministic differential equations which approximately describe their dynamics. In simulations, however, the discrete nature of the network gives rise to intrinsic noise which can radically alter the system's behaviour. In this article we develop a method to predict the effects of stochasticity in adaptive networks by making use of a pair-based proxy model. The technique is developed in the context of an epidemiological model of a disease spreading over an adaptive network of infectious contact. Our analysis reveals that in this model the structure of the network exhibits stochastic oscillations in response to fluctuations in the disease dynamic.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

The profile of diabetes healthcare professionals in Indonesia: a scoping review

Aim: To explore and synthesise evidence of the literature about healthcare professionals involved in the provision of diabetes management within an Indonesian context. Background: Indonesia is challenged to control the major burden of diabetes prevalence rate that requires a multidimensional approach with the aim to optimise existing health services by involving healthcare professionals who can promote access and provide diabetes management. Methods: This literature review, which is integrated with a scoping study framework, used the electronic databases including CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science to locate papers particular to the Indonesian context. From the total of 568 papers found, 20 papers were selected. Results: The literature review identified physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians and diabetes educators as the providers of diabetes care and management in Indonesia. Collaborative management involving either inter-disciplinary or intra-disciplinary teams, was mentioned in several papers. Internal challenges included: limited skills and knowledge. External challenges included: high patient volumes; a shortage of healthcare professionals and reduced funding. Conclusions: Overcoming the challenges cannot be undertaken with a workforce dominated by any one single healthcare profession. Coordinating with the government to improve the implementation of different roles in diabetes management will improve patient outcomes and thus reduce the burden of diabetes. Implication for nursing and health policy: Health policy reform should support nurses and other healthcare professionals in their professional development at all levels of healthcare. Policy makers can use the review findings to modify the current healthcare system to address key issues in: workforce development; funding for services and medications; and fostering multidisciplinary care for diabetes management. Keywords: Chronic Disease Care; Developing Countries; Diabetes; Health Service Management; Indonesia; Literature Review; Nursing; Nursing Roles; Scoping Revie

Exposure to violence and PTSD symptoms among Somali women

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, exposure to traumatic stressors, and health care utilization were examined in 84 women attending a primary health care clinic in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Somalia-Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale was used in this active warzone to measure symptoms. Nearly all women reported high levels of confrontations with violence; half described being exposed to a potentially traumatizing event. Nearly one third had significant PTSD symptoms. Compared to those who did not, women who reported exposure to a traumatic stressor reported more confrontations with violence (7.1 vs. 3.3; p < . 001), health complaints (3.8 vs. 2.9; p = .03), and nearly 3 times as much (p = .03) health service utilization. A potentially traumatizing event was found to be a simplified proxy for assessing mental health distress in women attending a primary health care facility in highly insecure, unpredictable, resource-limited settings

Comprehensive HIV care and Anti-Retroviral Therapy in a conflict setting-outcomes, experiences, and lessons learned from Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo

2006 AIDS Conference in Toront

Ecologic and geographic distribution of filovirus disease

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no1/03-0125.htmWe used ecologic niche modeling of outbreaks and sporadic cases of filovirus-associated hemorrhagic fever (HF) to provide a large-scale perspective on the geographic and ecologic distributions of Ebola and Marburg viruses. We predicted that filovirus would occur across the Afrotropics: Ebola HF in the humid rain forests of central and western Africa, and Marburg HF in the drier and more open areas of central and eastern Africa. Most of the predicted geographic extent of Ebola HF appear to have been observed; Marburg HF has the potential to occur farther south and east. Ecologic conditions appropriate for Ebola HF are also present in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, where Ebola Reston is hypothesized to be distributed. This first large-scale ecologic analysis provides a framework for a more informed search for taxa that could constitute the natural reservoir for this virus family

Fluorescent carbon dioxide indicators

Over the last decade, fluorescence has become the dominant tool in biotechnology and medical imaging. These exciting advances have been underpinned by the advances in time-resolved techniques and instrumentation, probe design, chemical / biochemical sensing, coupled with our furthered knowledge in biology. Complementary volumes 9 and 10, Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Small Molecule Sensing and Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Macromolecular Sensing, aim to summarize the current state of the art in fluorescent sensing. For this reason, Drs. Geddes and Lakowicz have invited chapters, encompassing a broad range of fluorescence sensing techniques. Some chapters deal with small molecule sensors, such as for anions, cations, and CO2, while others summarize recent advances in protein-based and macromolecular sensors. The Editors have, however, not included DNA or RNA based sensing in this volume, as this were reviewed in Volume 7 and is to be the subject of a more detailed volume in the near future

Fragmenting densely mineralised acellular protrusions from articular calcified cartilage: a role in osteoarthritis?

Fragmenting densely mineralised acellular protrusions from articular calcified cartilage: a role in osteoarthritis? A. Boyde a, G.R. Davis a, D. Mills a, T. Zikmund a, V.L. Adams b, L.R. Ranganath b, N. Jeffery b, J.A. Gallagher b a Dental Physical Sciences, Oral Growth and Development, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK b Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK Objectives High density mineralised protrusions (HDMP) from the tidemark mineralising front into hyaline articular cartilage (HAC) were first discovered in Thoroughbred racehorse fetlock joints and later in Icelandic horse hock joints. If these fragment, they could make a significant contribution to joint destruction in osteoarthritis. We looked for them in human material. Methods Whole femoral heads removed at operation for joint replacement or from dissection room cadavers were studied by MRI DESS at 0.23mm resolution and 26 micron resolution high contrast x-ray microtomography (XMT), then sectioned and embedded in PMMA, and block faces polished and the blocks re-imaged with 6 micron resolution XMT. Tissue mineralisation density was imaged qualitatively by backscattered electron SEM (BSE SEM) at 20kV using uncoated samples at 50Pa chamber pressure to achieve charge neutralisation. HAC histology was studied by BSE SEM after staining block faces with ammonium triiodide solution. Block surfaces were sequentially repolished and restained. Results Figure: 3D rendering of 6 micron voxel resolution XMT data set showing HDMP complex projecting above subchondral bone plate. Human femoral head removed at arthroplasty. We found examples of HDMP in HAC in human hips. Their 3D shapes are complex and may show cutting blade forms. Their mineral content (a) exceeds that of articular calcified cartilage (ACC), otherwise the densest tissue in the joint and (b) is not uniform. The mineral phase morphology frequently shows the agglomeration of many fine particles into larger concretions. Cracks within them are frequent. Dense fragments may be found within damaged HAC. Conclusions HDMP arise via the extrusion of an uncharacterised matrix into clefts in HAC. Little evidence of their existence remains after tissue has been decalcified with usual histological protocols. Their formation may be an extension of a normal but poorly recognised crack self-healing mechanism found in bone and ACC. They are surrounded by HAC, are dense and brittle and show innumerable fault lines within them. We provide evidence that they break in vivo by being able to find matching fragments in HAC. We conclude that these hard and sharp particles contribute to the shredding destruction of HAC. The osteoarthritis research community should be aware of their existence so that the frequency and possible clinical significance can be assessed in the future. Larger HDMP can be detected with the best MRI imaging

A study of ignition pressure spiking in attitude control engines. Volume 1 - Evaluation of the use of catalytic surfaces to eliminate ignition pressure spiking Final report, 1 Jul. 1966 - 30 Apr. 1967

Effects of injector catalytic surfaces on ignition pressure spiking in Apollo command module engin