Investment-specific technology shocks and consumption

Modern business cycle models systematically underestimate the correlation between consumption and investment. One reason for this failure is that, generally, positive investment-specific technology shocks induce a negative consumption response. The objective of this paper is to investigate whether a positive consumption response to investment-specific technology shocks can be obtained in a modern business cycle model. We find that the answer to this question is yes. With a combination of nominal rigidities and non-separable preferences, the consumption response is positive for very general parameterisations of the model.

Spaceflight tracking and data network operational reliability computer output for MTBF and availability. Appendix V to CSC-1-395

Tables of data are provided to show the availability of Skylab data to selected ground stations during the phases of Skylab preflight, Skylab unmanned condition, and Skylab manned condition. The mean time between failure (MTBF) of the same Skylab functions is tabulated for the selected ground stations. All reliability data are based on a 90 percent confidence interval

The Emerging Wealth Belt: New Jersey's New Millenium Geography

Describes the emergence of an economic cluster of counties in New Jersey and explains the reason for this new spatial alignment of the economy. The report also traces the historical shifts in the economic geography of New Jersey from its rural beginnings to its high technology present. Finally, the report describes the countervailing deomgraphy and economic intiatives that once more may tilt growth back to urban New Jersey. It notes, however, that a variety of economic and public policy challenges raise serious questions about the outcome of the redirection of our state's spatial development

Labour Market Asymmetries in a Monetary Union

This paper takes a first step in analysing how a monetary union performs in the presence of labour market asymmetries. Differences in wage flexibility, market power and country sizes are allowed for in a setting with both country-specific and aggregate shocks. The implications of asymmetries for both the overall performance of the monetary union and the country-specific situation are analysed. It is shown that asymmetries can have important effects, and that there are substantial spill-over effects. Among other things, it is found that aggregate output volatility is not strictly increasing in nominal rigidity but hump-shaped. A disproportionate share of the consequences of wage inflexibility may fall on small countries. In the case of country-specific shocks a country unambiguously benefits in terms of macroeconomic stability by becoming more flexible, but in general an inflexible country does not necessarily achieve more output stability by becoming more flexible. As this may be desirable for the monetary union as a whole, there is a risk of a ?reform deficit? in an asymmetric monetary union

Meeting the Needs of the Workforce in a Shifting Regional Economy

The tri-state region (New York/New Jersey/Connecticut) supports a highly complex and diverse labor market that has been subject not only to the shocking events of September 11th, 2001, but also to broad demographic and economic trends that have shaped the structure of work and the makeup of the available workforce. This paper examines the shifts that occurred in the regional economy throughout the past decade and discusses the possible implications of these changes for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, educational institutions, and state and local governments

Labour market asymmetries in a monetary union

This paper takes a first step in analysing how a monetary union performs in the presence of labour market asymmetries. Differences in wage flexibility, market power and country sizes are allowed for in a setting with both country-specific and aggregate shocks. The implications of asymmetries for both the overall performance of the monetary union and the country-specific situation are analysed. It is shown that asymmetries are not only critical for country-specific performance but also for the overall performance of the monetary union. A striking finding is that aggregate output volatility is not strictly increasing in nominal rigidities but hump-shaped. Moreover, a disproportionate share of the consequences of wage inflexibility may fall on small countries. In the case of country-specific shocks, a country unambiguously benefits in terms of macroeconomic stability by becoming more flexible, while this is not necessarily the case for aggregate shocks. There may thus be a tension between the degree of flexibility considered optimal at the country level and at the aggregate level within the monetary union

A bumpy ride on the diagnostic bench of massive parallel sequencing, the case of the mitochondrial genome

The advent of massive parallel sequencing (MPS) has revolutionized the field of human molecular genetics, including the diagnostic study of mitochondrial (mt) DNA dysfunction. The analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome using MPS platforms is now common and will soon outrun conventional sequencing. However, the development of a robust and reliable protocol is rather challenging. A previous pilot study for the re-sequencing of human mtDNA revealed an uneven coverage, affecting predominantly part of the plus strand. In an attempt to address this problem, we undertook a comparative study of standard and modified protocols for the Ion Torrent PGM system. We could not improve strand representation by altering the recommended shearing methodology of the standard workflow or omitting the DNA polymerase amplification step from the library construction process. However, we were able to associate coverage bias of the plus strand with a specific sequence motif. Additionally, we compared coverage and variant calling across technologies. The same samples were also sequenced on a MiSeq device which showed that coverage and heteroplasmic variant calling were much improved

Iodine-123 labeled reboxetine analogues for imaging of noradrenaline transporter in brain using single photon emission computed tomography

Preliminary investigation of the radioiodinated (S,S)-reboxetine analogue, 123I-INER, in baboons showed this tracer to have promise for imaging the noradrenaline transporter (NAT) using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). More recently, the radioiodinated (R,S)-stereoisomer of 123I-INER, 123I-NKJ64, has been synthesized and preliminary evaluation in rats has been reported. This article reports the brain distribution and pharmacokinetic properties of 123I-NKJ64 in baboons and compares results with 123I-INER data in the same species. SPECT studies were conducted in two ovariectomized adult female baboons using two different protocols: (1) bolus of 123I-INER or 123I-NKJ64; and (2) bolus plus constant infusion of 123I-NKJ64 with reboxetine (2.0 mg/kg) administration at equilibrium. Following bolus injection, both radiotracers rapidly and avidly entered the baboon brain. The regional brain accumulation of 123I-NKJ64 did not match the known distribution of NAT in baboon brain, contrasting with previous results obtained in rats. Conversely, the regional distribution of 123I-INER was consistent with known distribution of NAT in baboon brain. No displacement of 123I-NKJ64 was observed following administration of reboxetine. This contrasts with previous data obtained for 123I-INER, where 60% of specific binding was displaced by a lower dose of reboxetine. These data suggest that 123I-NKJ64 may lack affinity and selectivity for NAT in baboon brain and 123I-INER is the most promising iodinated reboxetine analogue developed to date for in vivo imaging of NAT in brain using SPECT. This study highlights the importance of species differences during radiotracer development and the stereochemical configuration of analogues of reboxetine in vivo. Synapse, 2012. -® 2012 Wiley Periodicals, In

Why practice philosophy as a way of life?

This essay explains why there are good reasons to practice philosophy as a way of life. The argument begins with the assumption that we should live well but that our understanding of how to live well can be mistaken. Philosophical reason and reflection can help correct these mistakes. Nonetheless, the evidence suggests that philosophical reasoning often fails to change our dispositions and behavior. Drawing on the work of Pierre Hadot, the essay claims that spiritual exercises and communal engagement mitigate the factors that prevent us from living in accord- ance with our conceptions of the good life. So, many of us have reasons to engage in philosophical reasoning along with behavioral, cognitive, and social strategies to alter our behavior and attitudes so that they’re in line with our philosophical commitments. In these respects, many of us should practice philosophy as a way of life

Thyestes

RenaissanceThis is an edition of an Elizabethan translation of Lucius Annaeus Seneca's play, Thyestes, written in Latin in Imperial Rome. Thus the play presented in this volume is not merely classical, but also one translated by an Elizabethan. One question that arises is how Seneca came to be of interest to the Elizabethans, another how we are to read the play as itself a Renaissance artefact, which has a good deal in common with important plays by artists like Shakespeare. In terms of their historical circumstances, their training and artistic structuring, as well as their concerns and 'world picture', Seneca and Shakespeare have many fundamental similarities