Dynamic Efficiency, the Riskless Rate, and Debt Ponzi Games under Uncertainty.

In a dynamically efficient economy, can a government roll its debt forever and avoid the need to raise taxes? In a series of examples of economies with zero growth, this paper shows that such Ponzi games may be infeasible even when the average rate of return on bonds is negative, and may be feasible even when the average rate of return on bonds is positive. The paper then reveals the structure which underlies these examples.

Tracking aid flows for development assistance for health.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The global architecture for providing development assistance for health (DAH) has become increasing complex in the last decade, with many new funding agencies entering the health sector. This study presents a detailed picture of European Union (EU) and EU member state originating DAH between 2006 and 2009; with a specific focus on assessing the extent of complementarity of development assistance sourced from the EU. DESIGN: We use a combination of internal EU reporting systems, OECD-DAC creditor reporting system data and other data sources to estimate DAH flows. Our method uses a line by line project assessment in order to identify and categorise DAH flows. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show a complex picture of DAH flows--from source, to channel of assistance, to channel of implementation--that is hard to track at the global level, and rarely comprehensively and regularly tracked at the country level. While the majority of EU DAH is focused on low and lower middle income countries there also remains much disparity between countries; and further analysis is required to better understand whether these imbalances are fair and efficient; or result in overlap. We also recommend investment in quality control of DAH tracking internally within donor agencies, and investment in the development of country based systems in order to enable countries and development partners better harmonise DAH flows

High frequency trans-splicing in a cell line producing spliced and polyadenylated RNA polymerase I transcripts from an rDNA-myc chimeric gene

The 2G1MycP2Tu1 cell line was obtained following transfection of human colon carcinoma cells from the SW613-S cell line with a plasmid carrying a genomic copy of the human MYC gene. 2G1MycP2Tu1 cells produce MYC mRNAs and proteins of abnormal size. In order to analyze the structure of these abnormal products, a cDNA library constructed using RNA isolated from these cells was screened with a MYC probe. Fifty clones were studied by DNA sequencing. The results indicated that a truncated copy of the MYC gene had integrated into an rDNA transcription unit in 2G1MycP2Tu1 cells. This was confirmed by northern blot analysis, PCR amplification on genomic DNA and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments on metaphase chromosomes. 2G1MycP2Tu1 cells produce hybrid rRNA-MYC RNA molecules that are polyadenylated and processed by splicing reactions involving natural and cryptic splice sites. These transcripts are synthesized by RNA polymerase I, as confirmed by actinomycin D sensitivity experiments, suggesting that 3′ end processing and splicing are uncoupled from transcription in this case. 2G1MycP2Tu1 cells also produce another type of chimeric mRNAs consisting of correctly spliced exons 2 and 3 of the MYC gene fused to one or more extraneous 5′ exons by proper splicing to the acceptor sites of MYC exon 2. These foreign exons belong to 33 different genes, which are located on 14 different chromosomes. These observations and the results of FISH and Southern blotting experiments lead us to conclude that trans-splicing events occur at high frequency in 2G1MycP2Tu1 cells

Efficacy and safety of a single dose of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole for treatment of lymphatic filariasis in Côte d\u27Ivoire: An open-label randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Improved drug regimens are needed to accelerate elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Africa. This study determined whether a single co-administered dose of ivermectin plus diethylcarbamazine plus albendazole [IDA] is noninferior to standard 3 annual doses of ivermectin plus albendazole (IA) used in many LF-endemic areas of Africa. METHODS: Treatment-naive adults with Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaremia in Côte d\u27Ivoire were randomized to receive a single dose of IDA (n = 43) or 3 annual doses of IA (n = 52) in an open-label, single-blinded trial. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who were microfilaria (Mf) negative at 36 months. Secondary endpoints were Mf clearance at 6, 12, and 24 months; inactivation of adult worm nests; and safety. RESULTS: At 36 months posttreatment with IDA, 18/33 (55%; 95% CI, 38-72%) cleared Mf versus 33/42 (79%; 67-91%) with IA (P = .045). At 6 and 12 months IDA was superior to IA in clearing Mf (89% [77-99%] and 71% [56-85%]), respectively, versus 34% (20-48%) and 26% (14-42%) (P \u3c .001). IDA was equivalent to IA at 24 months (61% [45-77%] vs 54% [38-72%]; P = .53). IDA was superior to IA for inactivating adult worms at all time points. Both treatments were well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of IDA was superior to 2 doses of IA in reducing the overall Mf burden by 24 months. Reinfection may have contributed to the lack of sustained clearance of Mf with IDA. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02974049

A universal angular momentum profile for galactic halos

[Abridged] We study the angular-momentum profiles of a statistical sample of halos drawn from a high-resolution N-body simulation of the LCDM cosmology. We find that the cumulative mass distribution of specific angular momentum, j, in a halo of mass Mv is well fit by a universal function, M(<j) = Mv \mu j/(j_0+j). This profile is defined by one shape parameter (\mu or j_0) in addition to the global spin parameter \lambda. It follows a power-law over most of the mass, and flattens at large j, with the flattening more pronounced for small values of \mu. Compared to a uniform sphere in solid-body rotation, most halos have a higher fraction of their mass in the low- and high-j tails of the distribution. The spatial distribution of angular momentum in halos tends to be cylindrical and is well-aligned within each halo for ~80% of the halos. We investigate two ideas for the origin of this profile. The first is based on a revised version of linear tidal-torque theory combined with extended Press-Schechter mass accretion, and the second focuses on j transport in minor mergers. Finally, we briefly explore implications of the M(<j) profile on the formation of galactic disks assuming that j is conserved during an adiabatic baryonic infall. The implied gas density profile deviates from an exponential disk, with a higher density at small radii and a tail extending to large radii. The steep central density profiles may imply disk scale lengths that are smaller than observed. This is reminiscent of the "angular-momentum problem" seen in hydrodynamic simulations, even though we have assumed perfect j conservation. A possible solution is to associate the central excesses with bulge components and the outer regions with extended gaseous disks.Comment: 19 pages LaTeX, uses emulateapj5, 22 embedded figures, 1 separate figure, Submitted to ApJ, version with higher quality figures available at http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~james/PAPER/parts.htm

On the Origin of Exponential Galaxy Disks

We use a disk galaxy evolution model to investigate whether galaxies with exponential surface brightness profiles can be produced in a cosmologically motivated framework for disk galaxy formation. Our model follows the accretion, cooling, and ejection of baryonic mass, as a function of radius, inside growing dark matter haloes. The surface density profile of the disk is determined by detailed angular momentum conservation, starting from the distribution of specific angular momentum as found in cosmological simulations. Exponential and quasi-exponential disks can be produced by our model through a combination of supernova driven galactic outflows (which preferentially remove low angular momentum material), intrinsic variation in the angular momentum distribution of the halo gas, and the inefficiency of star formation at large radii. We use observations from the SDSS NYU-VAGC to show that the median Sersic index of blue galaxies is a strong function of stellar mass. For blue galaxies, low mass galaxies have a median n=1.3, while high mass galaxies have a median n=4. Our model with energy driven outflows correctly reproduces this trend, whereas our models with momentum driven outflows and no outflows over predict the Sersic indices in low mass galaxies. We show that the observed fraction of "bulge-less" exponential galaxies is a strong function of stellar mass. For Milky-Way mass galaxies less than 0.1% of blue galaxies are bulge-less, whereas for M33 mass galaxies bulge-less and quasi-bulgeless galaxies are typical. These results suggest that the difficulty of hierarchical formation models to produce bulge-less Milky-Way mass galaxies is in fact not a problem. However, the problem of producing M33 like galaxies remains, and will provide a key test for hierarchical galaxy formation models. [Abridged]Comment: 23 pages, 13 figures, accepted to MNRAS, two new figure

Spread of a highly mucoid Streptococcus pyogenes emm3/ST15 clone

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hyaluronic acid capsule plays a key role in <it>Streptococcus pyogenes </it>virulence. Circulation of mucoid or highly encapsulated strains has been related to rheumatic fever epidemics and invasive disease in several countries. In 2009, an outbreak of mucoid <it>S. pyogenes </it>isolates was detected in northern Spain. The aim of the study was to describe clinical and molecular characteristics of mucoid strains causing this outbreak and to compare them with a sample of non-mucoid <it>S. pyogenes </it>isolates obtained during the same period of time.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All <it>S. pyogenes </it>isolates with a mucoid colony morphology (n = 132), 10% of non-mucoid (n = 144) and all invasive <it>S. pyogenes </it>isolates (n = 7) obtained in 2009 were included. Characterization was performed by T-agglutination, <it>emm </it>typing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One clone characterized as <it>emm</it>3.1/ST15 comprised 98.5% (n = 130) of all mucoid isolates. Subjects of all ages were affected. Main clinical manifestations were pharyngitis and scarlet fever, but this clone also caused invasive disease: two cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, one arthritis, and one celullitis with a fatal outcome. Mucoid isolates were more prone to cause invasive disease than non-mucoid isolates (p = 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although no acute rheumatic fever cases were detected, the most worrisome characteristics of this clone were the success for causing invasive disease and the merge of two virulent features: the serotype, <it>emm</it>3, and capsule hyper-production, expressed as a mucoid morphology.</p

Comparison of NITAG policies and working processes in selected developed countries

BACKGROUND: Vaccines are specific medicines characterized by two country-specific market access processes: (1) a recommendation by National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), and (2) a funding policy decision. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare and analyze NITAGs of 13 developed countries by describing vaccination committees' bodies and working processes. METHODS: Information about NITAGs bodies and working processes was searched from official sources from June 2011 to November 2012. Retrieved information was completed from relevant articles identified through a systematic literature review and by information provided by direct contact with NITAGs or parent organizations. An expert panel was also conducted to discuss, validate, and provide additional input on obtained results. RESULTS: While complete information, defined as 100%, was retrieved only for the UK, at least 80% of data was retrieved for 9 countries out of the 13 selected countries. Terms of references were identified in 7 countries, and the main mission for all NITAGs was to provide advice for National immunization programs. However, these terms of references did not fully encompass all the actual missions of the NITAGs. Decision analysis frameworks were identified for 10 out of the 13, and all NITAGs considered at least four criteria for decision-making: disease burden, efficacy/effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness. Advices were published by most NITAGs, but few NITAGs published meeting agendas and minutes. Only the United States had open meetings. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports previous findings about the disparities in NITAGs processes which could potentially explain the disparity in access to vaccinations and immunization programs across Europe. With NITAGs recommendations being used by policy decision makers for implementation and funding of vaccine programs, guidances should be well-informed and transparent to ensure National Immunization Programs' (NIP) credibility among the public and health care professionals