95 research outputs found
High Consumption Volatility: The Impact of Natural Disasters?
No full textA history of repeated external and
domestic shocks has made economic insecurity a major concern
across the Caribbean region. Of particular concern to all
households, especially the poorest segments of the
population, is the exposure to shocks that are generated by
catastrophic events or natural disasters. The author shows
that despite high consumption growth, the Caribbean region
suffers from a high volatility of consumption that decreases
household welfare. After presenting some empirical evidence
that consumption volatility is higher in the Caribbean
region than in the rest of the world, he makes some
empirically testable inferences that help explain
consumption volatility. The author develops a conceptual
framework for analyzing the effects of catastrophic events
on household and aggregate welfare. According to this
framework, the volatility of consumption comes from
production shocks that are transformed into consumption
shocks mostly because of underdeveloped or ineffective
risk-management mechanisms. Auffret conducts an empirical
analysis of the impact of catastrophic events on 16
countries (6 from the Caribbean region and 10 from Latin
America) from 1970-99 and shows that catastrophic events
lead to: 1) A substantial decline in the growth of output.
2) A substantial decline in the growth of investment. 3) A
more moderate decline in consumption growth (most of the
decline is in private consumption, while public consumption
declines moderately. 4) A worsening of the current account
of the balance of payments
Trade Reform in Vietnam: Opportunities with Emerging Challenges
No full textIn 1986 Vietnam initiated a transition
from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented
economy where the government would keep playing a leading
role. These renovation (doi moi) policies were successful at
generating economic growth and reducing poverty. In the
ten-year socioeconomic strategy endorsed by the Ninth Party
Congress in April 2001, the authorities further articulated
their development objectives in terms of economic growth and
poverty reduction. To reach these objectives, the government
indicated that its structural reform priorities were to
change Vietnam's trade and financial policies,
liberalize the climate for private investment, increase the
efficiency of public enterprises, and improve governance.
The author argues that the pace of implementation of trade
reform-which has been impressive so far-is raising new
challenges. On one side, fast liberalization of trade reform
may soon conflict with the slow pace of implementation of
other reforms, including restructuring of state-owned
enterprises and state-owned commercial banks. On the other
side, Vietnam would greatly benefit from fast implementation
of trade reform and particularly fast accession to the World
Trade Organization (WTO), especially after China's
recent WTO accession. Auffret concludes that implementation
of trade reform will be a testing ground to reveal the
extent of Vietnam's commitment to a market-oriented economy
Trade reform in Vietnam : opportunities with emerging challenges
No full textIn 1986 Vietnam initiated a transition from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented economy where the government would keep playing a leading role. These renovation (doi moi) policies were successful at generating economic growth and reducing poverty. In the ten-year socioeconomic strategy endorsed by the Ninth Party Congress in April 2001, the authorities further articulated their development objectives in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction. To reach these objectives, the government indicated that its structural reform priorities were to change Vietnam's trade and financial policies, liberalize the climate for private investment, increase the efficiency of public enterprises, and improve governance. The author argues that the pace of implementation of trade reform-which has been impressive so far-is raising new challenges. On one side, fast liberalization of trade reform may soon conflict with the slow pace of implementation of other reforms, including restructuring of state-owned enterprises and state-owned commercial banks. On the other side, Vietnam would greatly benefit from fast implementation of trade reform and particularly fast accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), especially after China's recent WTO accession. Auffret concludes that implementation of trade reform will be a testing ground to reveal the extent of Vietnam's commitment to a market-oriented economy.Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade Policy,Rules of Origin,Economic Theory&Research,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,World Trade Organization,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade and Services
High consumption volatility : the impact of natural disasters?
No full textA history of repeated external and domestic shocks has made economic insecurity a major concern across the Caribbean region. Of particular concern to all households, especially the poorest segments of the population, is the exposure to shocks that are generated by catastrophic events or natural disasters. The author shows that despite high consumption growth, the Caribbean region suffers from a high volatility of consumption that decreases household welfare. After presenting some empirical evidence that consumption volatility is higher in the Caribbean region than in the rest of the world, he makes some empirically testable inferences that help explain consumption volatility. The authordevelops a conceptual framework for analyzing the effects of catastrophic events on household and aggregate welfare. According to this framework, the volatility of consumption comes from production shocks that are transformed into consumption shocks mostly because of underdeveloped or ineffective risk-management mechanisms. Auffret conducts an empirical analysis of the impact of catastrophic events on 16 countries (6 from the Caribbean region and 10 from Latin America) from 1970-99 and shows that catastrophic events lead to: 1) A substantial decline in the growth of output. 2) A substantial decline in the growth of investment. 3) A more moderate decline in consumption growth (most of the decline is in private consumption, while public consumption declines moderately. 4) A worsening of the current account of the balance of payments.Economic Theory&Research,Financial Intermediation,Public Health Promotion,Environmental Economics&Policies,Consumption,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Inequality,Consumption,Financial Intermediation
The hidden faces of apomorphine : lessons from the past, current experimentations and future challenges
No full textDoyenne de la thérapeutique antiparkinsonienne, puissant outil pharmacologique au profil singulier, l’apomorphine est aujourd’hui indiquée comme thérapeutique de deuxième intention, au stade où les fluctuations liées au traitement oral handicapent le quotidien des patients. Si ses effets sur la triade parkinsonienne et les fluctuations motrices sont connus et objectivés depuis le milieu du XXème siècle, son spectre d’action sur les troubles non moteurs a, quant à lui, été encore peu exploré. Ce travail de thèse avait deux objectifs : (1) établir un état de l’art quant aux connaissances actuelles sur l’apomorphine et (2) étudier les effets d’un traitement par pompe à apomorphine sur la symptomatologie non motrice parkinsonienne, en particulier aux plans cognitifs et émotionnels, sur une période de six mois. Pour ce faire, deux études ont été menées. La première, intitulée APO-TEP, s’intéressait à l’évolution de l’état cognitif et de la qualité de vie de patients présentant la maladie à un stade avancé, mais ne pouvant bénéficier de la chirurgie de stimulation cérébrale profonde du noyau subthalamique. Une exploration du métabolisme cérébral était associée à l’évaluation clinique. Ce travail a permis de mettre en évidence une amélioration significative des fonctions motrices, cognitivo-psychiatriques (fonctions exécutives et apathie) et de la qualité de vie après six mois de traitement. Des modifications d’activité cérébrale dans les réseaux fonctionnels cognitifs, moteurs et limbiques ont par ailleurs été observées, soutenant l’idée d’un substratum anatomo-fonctionnel diffus. La seconde étude, intitulée APO-EMO, évalue les effets du traitement par pompe à apomorphine sur la sphère émotionnelle, souvent altérée dans la maladie de Parkinson. Cette dernière étude est toujours en cours ; les résultats préliminaires ne mettent pour l’heure pas en évidence d’effets sur la perception individuelle des émotions (intelligence émotionnelle et expressivité). Les analyses visant à explorer les effets du traitement sur le mimétisme facial et la reconnaissance des expressions faciales émotionnelles seront menées dans un second temps. L’ensemble de ces résultats expérimentaux est discuté à la lumière des données de la littérature et plusieurs perspectives cliniques et de recherche sont développées. De nouveaux travaux, visant à mieux comprendre les réseaux neuronaux et les voies neurochimiques activées par l’apomorphine en perfusion continue, sont à mener. Longtemps cantonnée au rang de curiosité pharmacologique, l’apomorphine semble enfin trouver sa place dans l’arsenal thérapeutique.Apomorphine is a peculiar drug, currently used as a second-line therapy in Parkinson’s disease (PD). If its motor efficacy has been amply established, questions remain about its effect on non motor symptoms, a common burden in PD. This thesis address these questions by (1) reviewing the state of the art of the current knowledge about apomorphine (history, pharmacology and current interest in neurological disorders) and (2) exploring the effect of continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI) on cognitive and emotional symptoms in PD, while studying brain metabolism. Two studies were conducted: APO-TEP and APO-EMO. Well-tolerated, CSAI appears to be an interesting option in advanced PD. Changes in brain metabolism (motor, cognitive and limbic networks) were observed at 6 months and correlated to clinical improvement (executive functions, apathy and motricity) in patients with advanced PD and contra-indications for subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation. Preliminary results of the ongoing APO-EMO study suggest that CSAI does not seem to improve emotional self-perception in patients; however we will further explore its effect on facial mimicry and facial emotion recognition. If further research is still needed, apomorphine seems to be destined to become a key feature of future therapeutic strategies, in PD (nonmotor symptoms, advanced PD, withdrawal of oral medications) but also in other dopaminergic disorders, and rightly so
Teaching Neuroanatomy in the 19th Century: Dr Auzoux’s Papier-mâché Anatomical Models (S12.003)
No full textInternational audienceObjective: To review and describe the anatomical models related to the brain and nervous system produced in the “Ateliers de l’anatomie clastique”(clastic anatomy workshops) founded by Dr Auzoux at Saint-Aubin-D’Ecrosville (Normandy, France) in 1828 Background: Dr Louis Thomas Jérôme Auzoux (1797–1880) was a French physician who specialized in the design, industrial production and sales of detachable anatomical models using his own innovative technique of papier mâché. His catalogue included a wide variety of human, animal, and botanical models. Our university’s collections include a few examples of these models, including a human brain. Design/Methods: Nonsystematic database (PubMed, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Internet Archive, Gallica) search, antique postcards database search and screening of online newspapers archives (RetroNews®, Newspapers. com®), with the search terms (English & French) Dr Auzoux, papier mâché, clastic anatomy (search period: 1797–1880) Results: Auzoux’s anatomy models were made of several solid parts that could be removed one by one, mimicking the dissection process:“a brain is constructed, in which, by means of numerous sections and the super-position of different parts, are shown all the details of its structure as well as the origin of the nerves in the whole extent of the cerebro-spinal axis”(“Catalogue of preparations of artificial anatomy”, 1841). Auzoux’s models of human neuroanatomy included brains (of different sizes) and the spinal marrow. Its comparative anatomy catalogue (1844) included the brain and the spinal marrow of several animals (rat, cat, goose, viper, tortoise, carp, molusca) and the nervous system of others (spider, crab, articulata & radiata). Conclusions: During the 19th century, Dr Auzoux’s brain anatomical models were used to teach neuroanatomy in different contexts, for both students (universities, schools) and the general public
Book Review: Lessons from the Lobster-Eve Marder's Work in Neuroscience - Eve Marder’s Work in Neuroscience
No full textBook reviewInternational audienc
War neuroses at the beginning of the Great War in France: the case of Eugene Bouret (1887-1914)
No full textInternational audienc
From Shadow to Spotlight: The (Re)discovery of Trepanned Skulls in France During the 19th Century
No full textInternational audienceObjective: To understand the French interest in trepanation that emerged following Broca’s paper (1867) in various scientific disciplines, including neurology. To describe the trepanned skulls found on French soil during the 19th century.Background: The study of trepanation is one of Paul Broca’s many contributions to the medical field. His interest in brains and skulls led Ephraim Georges Squier, an American diplomat and archaeologist, to travel to Paris to show him an old Peruvian skull presenting a seemingly man-made rectangular opening. Following this encounter, Broca published a first analysis on Squier’s skull in 1867, suggesting that the cranial opening was the result of surgery. This landmark paper initiated a scientific fascination with ancient skulls found on French soil.Design/Methods: A literature search for French articles related to trepanned skulls discovery and/or analysis between 1800 and 1900 was undertaken, using various databases such as Calames, BnF Gallica Archives, JStor, Internet Archive and Google Scholar.Results: The discovery of trepanned skulls, particularly from the Neolithic period, was not rare on French soil. If some of these skulls were found prior to 1867, and even before the birth of the 19th century, the majority of them were retrieved and analyzed following the excitement initiated by Broca’s papers. Along with Paul Broca, Barthélémy Prunières, Ernest Chantre, Paul du Chatellier and Armand de Quatrefages are the most prominent figures in the study of trepanation in France during the 19th century. Together, they described dozens of trepanned skulls found in different areas (eg: Lozère, Bretagne or Paris Bassin) and discussed several theories on trepanation.Conclusions: The study of French ancient skulls, initiated by a brilliant neurologist, brought together experts from several disciplines (archeology, neurology and anthropology), highlighting the close relationship that has always existed between medicine and humanities
Perspectives pour l'amélioration du bon usage des antibiotiques au centre hospitalier et universitaire de Rennes
No full textDepuis de nombreuses années, l'émergence de souches bactériennes résistantes aux antibiotiques préoccupe la communauté scientifique. En France, la consommation d'antibiotiques reste supérieure à celle de ses voisins européens, en ville comme à l'hôpital. Additionnées à un mésusage de certain des molécules, ces tendances ont conduit à l'apparition de situations d'impasse thérapeutique de plus e plus fréquentes. AU CHU de Rennes, une politique antibiotique a été établie depuis le début des années 1990, permettant de maintenir l'établissement à un rang satisfaisant dans le classement national en termes de consommation d'antibiotiques. Cependant, une faible consommation n'est pas forcément synonyme de bon usage, et de nombreuses actions peuvent être engagées à différents niveaux pour renforcer une politique déjà bien établie et fonctionnelle, aux enjeux à la fois sanitaires et économiques. Après avoir dressé un état des lieux, nous avons mené une revue de littérature dans le but d'envisager les différentes mesures susceptibles d'être mises en place au sein du CHU. Les paramètres indispensables à la réussite à long terme de toute politique antibiotique sont un soutien financier (et donc administratif) conséquent et durable, ainsi qu'un engagement de l'ensemble des professionnels hospitaliers concernés. Les efforts déjà engagés au CHU doivent être poursuivis et diffusés à l'ensemble des personnels concernés, l'éducation étant une des clés de voûte de la réussite de ce type de programme. Les perspectives phares sont la création d'un binôme permanent infectiologue-pharmacien dédié à la gestion de l'antibiothérapie, associée à une logistique renforcée et des mesures éducatives réitérées.Despite numerous guidelines and recommendations, antibiotic use in French hospital remains above the European average, with a high risk of misuse fostering he emergence of multi-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic prescribing in hospital is highly complex and requires the expertise of all practitioners. At the Teaching Hospital of Rennes, there have been on-going efforts to implement a sustainable antibiotic policy. The aim of this study was to find new ways of improving our antibiotic policy, through a literature review and an analysis of the local situation. The biggest obstacle remains lack of funding to ensure the development and success of a multimodal antimicrobial stewardship program; administrative support is much needed. The main perspectives to improve antibiotic stewardship at the Teaching Hospital of Rennes are the creation of a dedicated team composed of an infectious disease specialist and a pharmacist, bolstered by computerized decision support, on-going education and implication of all the health-care professionals as well as financial support.LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocRENNES1-BU Santé (352382103) / SudocSudocFranceF
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