Argentina’s foreign policy in Kirchner’s second term

Since the return to democracy in 1983, Argentina’s foreign policy has been tied to the changing patterns of its political system and development model. In the 80’s, the main problem was the country’s democratic stability and the political control of the military. Foreign policy reflected these concerns, seeking to increase regional cooperation to strengthen democracy and seeking to diminish conflict hypotheses to reduce the weight off the military. In the 90’s, the aim was more focused on state and market reform, leaving aside state interventionism and protectionism in order to move to a strategy of openness, stability and privatization. Foreign policy became in part a strategy to secure domestic changes and to project Argentina as a “normal” country fully integrated to the world. The 2002 crisis put an end to the political and economic cycle. Foreign policy was again a manifestation of this domestic transformation. Nestor Kirchner sought to regain presidential power, recover state power, and put Argentina back into the South American concert. Foreign policy reflected these changes, seeking enhance Argentina’s autonomy from the International Monetary Fund, adopting a position rather distant from the United States and rebuilding ties with South America, particularly with Brazil’s Lula and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez. The ‘return’ of the state, however, placed natural resources back again in the agenda. Uruguay and Bolivia entered through this window, the first starting a conflict with Argentina over the installation of a pulp paper mill on the banks of the Rio Uruguay, the second becoming simultaneously a problem (for its political instability) and a solution ( for its rich gas resources)

Grey matter volume correlates with virtual water maze task performance in boys with androgen excess

Major questions remain about the specific role of testosterone in human spatial navigation. We tested 10 boys (mean age 11.65 years) with an extremely rare disorder of androgen excess (Familial Male Precocious Puberty, FMPP) and 40 healthy boys (mean age 12.81 years) on a virtual version of the Morris Water Maze task. In addition, anatomical magnetic resonance images were collected for all patients and a subsample of the controls (n=21) after task completion. Behaviourally, no significant differences were found between both groups. However, in the MRI analyses, grey matter volume (GMV) was correlated with performance using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Group differences in correlations of performance with GMV were apparent in medial regions of the prefrontal cortex as well as the middle occipital gyrus and the cuneus. By comparison, similar correlations for both groups were found in the inferior parietal lobule. These data provide novel insight into the relation between testosterone and brain development and suggest that morphological differences in a spatial navigation network covary with performance in spatial ability. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IBRO

Psychiatric characterization of children with genetic causes of hyperandrogenism

Objective: Very little is known about the mental health status in children with genetic causes of hyperandrogenism. This study sought to characterize psychiatric morbidity in this group. Design/methods: Children (8-18 years) with the diagnosis of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or familial male precocious puberty (FMPP) underwent a semi-structured psychiatric interview, the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version. According to sex and the literature, incidence of identified psychopathology was compared between the two endocrinological groups. We evaluated 72 patients: 54 CAH (21 females) and 18 FMPP. Results: Twenty-four (44.4%) CAH patients and 10 (55.6%) FMPP patients met the criteria for at least one lifetime psychiatric diagnosis. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was present in 18.2% of CAH males, 44.4% of FMPP males, and one case (4.8%) in CAH females. A high rate of anxiety disorders was also found in all the three groups (17-21%). Relative to females with CAH, the FMPP patients exhibited higher rates of ADHD. Age at diagnosis and the treatment modalities were not associated with psychopathology. Rates of psychiatric disorder, specifically ADHD and anxiety disorders, were higher than in the general population. Conclusion: Although anxiety disorders may occur at an increased rate in children with chronic illness, androgens may contribute to higher risk for psychopathology in pediatric patients with genetic cause of excess androgen. Early diagnosis and treatment of childhood hyperandrogenism is essential for optimal development. The results suggest that assessment for psychiatric disorders should be part of the routine evaluation of these patients

Reconciling the interests of the economic diversification participants in a single-industry town

Рассматриваются проблемы согласования интересов участников процесса диверсификации экономики моногорода в процессе управления развитием моногорода на основе реализации стратегии диверсификации. Целью исследования является разработка инструментов гармонизации интересов участников процесса диверсификации экономики моногорода на основе разработки модели полного согласования интересов и сопоставления ее с моделью отдельно взятого моногорода. Методы исследования: системный подход, анализ и синтез, построение множеств согласования интересов с применением диаграммы Эйлера-Венна, методы комбинаторики, построение экономических показателей и рядов динамики, графический метод представления результатов и построения иерархии согласования интересов. Результаты исследования. Представлена модель полного согласования интересов различных групп лиц, в которой отражены сферы возможного пересечения интересов, а также иерархия числа согласуемых интересов. Предложены основные группы участников процесса диверсификации моногорода, а также разграничено понятие участника и роли (функции) участника в данном процессе. Обосновано и определено число множеств в зависимости от числа участников, чьи интересы одновременно согласуются, на примере моногорода Калтан Кемеровской области. На основе предложенной модели построена модель согласования интересов на примере моногорода Калтана. Полученная модель имеет трапециевидную форму, что свидетельствует о достаточно небольшом числе общих согласуемых интересов. Автор приходит к выводу, что в моногороде сформирован треугольник интересов «администрация города - малый бизнес в роли инвестора - вуз», представляющий основу в иерархии согласования интересов моногорода Калтан. Центральное положение при согласовании интересов с прочими участниками занимает исключительно администрация города. На основе данных выводов внесены предложения по направлениям дальнейшего согласования интересов на примере рассматриваемого моногорода.The article explores the problems of reconciling the interests of single-industry towns, a need that arises from the entire process of industry development management through a diversification strategy. The aim of this study is to develop tools to harmonize the interests of the single-industry towns, based on a model of full harmonization with the model of an individual single-industry town. Methods of the research: system approach, analysis and synthesis, building a set of harmonized interests with the application of the Eulerian-Venn diagram, combinatorics methods, construction of economic indicators and series of dynamics, graphical method of presentation of results and building the hierarchy of interests. Results of the study. The paper introduces the model for fully reconciling the interests of different groups of persons, reflecting the areas of possible intersecting interests and the hierarchy of the number of interests involved. The article proposes the main groups of participants in the diversification process and the differentially concept of participant and the role (function) of the participant in the diversification process. The author justifies and estimates the number of sets depending on the number of participants whose interests are concurrently reconciled in Kaltan case study. The proposed model is used for Kaltan, Kemerovo region case study. The result ing model is of a trapezoidal form, which indicates that there are quite a few common consenting interests. The author concludes that a triangle of interests «city administration - small business as investor - university» is formed. This triangle represents the highest level of harmonization of interests in the hierarchy. The city administration is in central position in reconciling interests with other participants. By the example of the considered single-industry town and based on these findings the suggestion on further harmonization of interests was made

Variations in the management of acute illness in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: An audit of three paediatric hospitals

Objective: Episodes of acute adrenal insufficiency (AI)/adrenal crises (AC) are a serious consequence of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This study aimed to assess morbidity from acute illness in CAH and identify factors associated with use of IV hydrocortisone, admission and diagnosis of an AC. Method: An audit of acute illness presentations among children with CAH to paediatric hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, between 2000 and 2015. Results: There were 321 acute presentations among 74 children with CAH. Two thirds (66.7%, n=214) of these resulted in admission and 49.2% (n=158) of the patients received intravenous (IV) hydrocortisone. An AC was diagnosed in (9.0%). Prior to presentation, 64.2% (n=206) had used oral stress dosing and 22.1% (n=71) had been given intramuscular (IM) hydrocortisone. Vomiting was recorded in 61.1% (n=196), 32.7% (n=64) of whom had used IM hydrocortisone. Admission, AC diagnosis, and use of stress dosing varied significantly between hospitals. IM use varied from 7.0% in one metropolitan hospital to 45.8% in the regional hospital. Children aged up to 12 months had the lowest levels of stress dosing and IV hydrocortisone administration. A higher number of prior hospital attendances for acute illness was associated with increased use of IM hydrocortisone. Conclusion: Pre-hospital and in-hospital management of children with CAH can vary between health services. Children under 12 months have lower levels of stress dosing prior to hospital than other age groups. Experience with acute episodes improves self-management of CAH in the context of acute illness in educated patient populations

Rankings as a comprehensive model to assess innovation and investment development of mesolevel economic systems (case of Tomsk region)

Актуальность определяется растущим интересом зарубежных и отечественных исследователей и практиков к рейтингам как комплексному методу оценки инновационно‐инвестиционого развития регионов. При этом нет единства мнений по методикам формирования рейтингов, отбора показателей и методов расчета. Цель работы: исследование и анализ рейтингов как модели комплексной оценки инновационного и инвестиционного развития экономических систем мезоуровня. Методы исследования: методы сравнительного, логического анализа, анализ и синтез, системный подход. Результаты. Представлен сравни‐ тельный анализ российских инновационно‐инвестиционных рейтингов; рассмотрены методики их составления и используемые системы показателей. Сформулированы ограничения рейтинга как модели комплексной оценки в целом, дана характеристика каждого отдельного рейтинга. В качестве примеров приведены позиции регионов Сибирского федерального округа в пяти российских рейтингах.The relevance of the topic is determined by the growing interest of foreign and domestic researchers and practitioners in ratings as a comprehensive method for assessing the innovative and investment development of the regions. At the same time there is no unity of opinion on the methods of rating formation, selection of indicators and calculation methods. The aim of the study is to research and analyze ratings as a model for integrated assessment of innovation and investment development of meso‐level economic systems. Methods of research: methods of comparative, logical analysis, analysis and synthesis, systematic approach. Results. The paper introduces the comparative analysis of Russian innovation and investment ratings, considers the methods of their compilation and the system of indicators. The rating constraints are formulated as a model of integrated assessment in general, and the characteristics of each individual rating are given. The authors give the positions of the regions of the Siberian Federal District in five Russian rankings as an example

Androgens correlate with increased erythropoiesis in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperandrogenism in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) provides an in vivo model for exploring the effect of androgens on erythropoiesis in women. We investigated the association of androgens with haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) in women with CAH. DESIGN: Cross-validation study PATIENTS: Women with CAH from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, UK (cohort 1, the training set: n=23) and National Institutes of Health, USA (cohort 2, the validation set: n=53). MEASUREMENTS: Androgens, full blood count and basic biochemistry, all measured on the same day. Demographic and anthropometric data. RESULTS: Significant age-adjusted correlations (P<0.001) were observed for Ln testosterone with Hb and Hct in cohorts 1 and 2 (Hb r=0.712 & 0.524 and Hct r=0.705 & 0.466), which remained significant after adjustments for CAH status, glucocorticoid treatment dose and serum creatinine. In the combined cohorts Hb correlated with androstenedione (P=0.002) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (P=0.008). Hb and Hct were significantly higher in cohort 1 than those in cohort 2, while there were no group differences in androgen levels, glucocorticoid treatment dose or body mass index. In both cohorts, women with Hb and Hct in the highest tertile had significantly higher testosterone levels than women with Hb and Hct in the lowest tertile. CONCLUSIONS: In women with CAH, erythropoiesis may be driven by androgens and could be considered a biomarker for disease control