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Dynamic face stimuli are increasingly used in face perception research, as increasing evidence shows they are perceived differently from static photographs. One popular method for creating dynamic faces is the dynamic morph, which can animate the transition between expressions by blending two photographs together. Although morphs offer increased experimental control, their unnatural motion differs from the biological facial motion captured in video recordings. This study aimed to compare ratings of emotion intensity and genuineness in video recordings, dynamic morphs, and static photographs of happy, sad, fearful, and angry expressions. We found that video recordings were perceived to have greater emotional intensity than dynamic morphs, and video recordings of happy expressions were perceived as more genuine compared to happy dynamic morphs. Unexpectedly, static photographs and video recordings had similar ratings for genuineness and intensity. Overall, these results suggest that dynamic morphs may be an inappropriate substitute for video recordings, as they may elicit misleading dynamic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eplontersen (Wainua™) is a ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide directed to TTR, which is being developed by Ionis Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca for the treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR). Eplontersen, which is targeted to the liver by a ligand containing three N-acetyl galactosamine residues, binds to wild-type and variant TTR mRNA, thus reducing the levels of circulating TTR protein and amyloid deposition. Subcutaneous eplontersen reduced serum TTR levels, inhibited neuropathy progression and improved health-related quality of life in patients with polyneuropathy of hereditary ATTR (ATTRv-PN; v for variant) in a phase III trial. Based on these results, eplontersen was approved in the USA for the treatment of ATTRv-PN on 21 December 2023 and is currently undergoing regulatory review for a similar indication in the EU, the UK, Switzerland and Canada. Eplontersen is also undergoing phase III development for ATTR cardiomyopathy. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of eplontersen leading to this first approval for ATTRv-PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to human health globally and antibiotic overuse is a main driver of resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) was developed to improve the rationale use of antibiotics. The Choosing Wisely campaign was initiated to ameliorate medical practice through avoidance of unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Our objective was to give an overview on the Choosing Wisely recommendations related to AMS practices from a selection of different countries in order to define future needs. Methods: We evaluated the seven countries already analyzed for Choosing Wisely recommendations related to topics of infectious medicine before. Finally, we included five of the former countries (Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, and USA) and Germany with easily accessible recommendations and selected those related to six categories of AMS as following: diagnostics, indication, choice of antiinfective drugs, dosing, application and duration of therapy. Results: In total, 213 recommendations could be extracted related to AMS for the six countries and were matched to the chosen categories. Interestingly, no recommendations were found for the category "dosing." Topics related to indication and diagnostics were most frequently found with 85 and 78 recommendations, respectively. Perioperative prophylaxis was a frequently addressed issue – both related to application, indication and duration. Avoiding antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and upper respiratory tract infections were central topics of all countries. Conclusion: AMS is an important strategy to fight increasing resistance and is frequently addressed by Choosing Wisely recommendations of different countries. Similar issues are considered important in the selected countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casirivimab/imdevimab (Ronapreve™; REGEN-COV™) is a co-packaged combination of two neutralizing immunoglobulin gamma 1 (IgG1) human monoclonal antibodies (casirivimab and imdevimab) against the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Casirivimab/imdevimab received its first emergency use authorization for the treatment of COVID-19 in November 2020 in the USA, with similar authorizations subsequently granted in various other countries, including India, Canada, and Switzerland. In February 2021, casirivimab/imdevimab was granted a positive scientific opinion in the EU for the treatment of COVID-19. In July 2021, casirivimab/imdevimab received its first approval in Japan for the treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19, followed in August 2021 by its conditional approval for the prophylaxis and treatment of acute COVID-19 infection in the UK. The combination was also granted provisional determination in Australia in August 2021, indicating its eligibility to be considered for provisional registration for COVID-19 treatment and prevention. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of casirivimab/imdevimab leading to these first approvals for COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug survival analysis of biologic agents in psoriasis is of extreme importance, as it allows not only the evaluation of objective clinical outcomes (such as effectiveness and safety) but also of factors that are associated with patients' adherence to treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the drug survival of the most recent biologic agents approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis—ustekinumab, secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab, guselkumab, and risankizumab—and to identify clinical predictors that can influence the drug survival of these drugs. Methods: This retrospective multicentric cohort study from 16 dermatology centers in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Canada, and the United States included patients that started IL-12/23, IL-17 (IL-17A and IL-17R) and IL-23 inhibitors for the treatment of psoriasis between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2019. Survival analysis was performed using a Kaplan-Meier estimator, to obtain descriptive survival curves, and proportional hazard Cox regression models. Results: A total of 3312 treatment courses (total patients: 3145) were included in the study; 1118 (33.8%) with an IL-12/23 inhibitor (ustekinumab), 1678 (50.7%) with an IL-17 inhibitor [911 (27.5%) on secukinumab, 651 (19.7%) on ixekizumab, 116 (3.5%) on brodalumab], and 516 (15.5%) with an IL-23 inhibitor [398 (12.0%) on guselkumab, 118 (3.5%) on risankizumab]. At 18 months, the cumulative probability of survival was 96.4% for risankizumab, 91.1% for guselkumab, 86.3% for brodalumab, 86.1% for ustekinumab, 82.0% for ixekizumab, and 79.9% for secukinumab. Using ustekinumab as reference, drug survival of guselkumab was higher (HR 0.609; 95% CI 0.418–0.887) and that of secukinumab was lower (HR 1.490; 95% CI 1.257–1.766). In the final multivariable model, secukinumab, female sex, higher BMI, and prior exposure to biologic agents significantly increased the risk of drug discontinuation, whereas risankizumab was protective. Conclusion: In this multinational cohort with 8439 patient-years of follow-up, the cumulative probability of drug survival for all drugs was >79% at 18 months. Prescribed biologic, female sex, higher BMI, and previous exposure to biologic agents were predictors of drug discontinuation. Drug survival of guselkumab and risankizumab was higher than that of ustekinumab, and secukinumab was lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Tizanidine, an alpha-adrenergic substance with antinociceptive and antihypertensive effects, is extensively metabolized via cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2. Therefore, coadministration with potent CYP1A2 inhibitors, such as ciprofloxacin, is contraindicated. However, both drugs are broadly utilized in various countries. Their concomitant use bears an inherent high risk for clinically significant symptoms, especially in multimorbid patients experiencing polypharmacy. This study aims to investigate the impact of coadministration of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin using real-world pharmacovigilance data and to raise awareness of this potentially underestimated safety issue. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSR) registered until March 1, 2017, in the World Health Organization (WHO) global database. Demographic data, drug administration information, the course of the adverse drug reaction (ADR), its severity, and outcomes were analyzed for cases reporting ciprofloxacin comedication. Results: In 91 (2.0%) of the identified 4192 worldwide ICSR on tizanidine, coadministration of ciprofloxacin was reported. Most of the patients were female (n = 59, 64.8%) with a median age of 54 years (range 13–85 years). The countries contributing most reports were the USA (n = 54, 59.3%) and Switzerland (n = 16, 17.6%). ADRs reported most often affected the nervous system and the cardiac function, especially with large tizanidine doses or drugs with CNS and cardiovascular depressant effects. In two cases, a fatal outcome was reported. Conclusion: Despite the existing formal contraindication, the concomitant use of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin can be observed in real-world clinical practice. Reactions mainly affected the central nervous and the cardiovascular system resulting in potentially severe adverse effects. The concomitant use of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin should absolutely be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: According to the American College of Surgeons (ACS) recommendations, the benchmark for trauma center need (TCN) is an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15. In contrast, Swiss highly specialized medicine (HSM) regulations set out TCN for all patients with an ISS > 19 or an Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) of the head ≥ 3. This investigation assessed to what extent the modification might be justified. Methods: Consecutive analysis of all significantly injured (new ISS, NISS ≥ 8) adults treated in a trauma center from 2010 to 2016 based on their ISS and AIS head and in respect to utilized resources and outcome. Results: Of 2171 patients (mean age 57.2 ± 21.6; ISS 15.0 ± 8.5) 40.1% fulfilled the ACS and 52.7% the HSM-definition of TCN. Comparative analysis of specified subgroups representing combinations of the ISS and the AIS head revealed that patients within the HSM but not within the ACS-definition of TCN achieved worse outcomes in mortality or on the Glasgow Outcome Score and had a higher inpatient rehabilitation rate than patients with an ISS < 15 and an AIS head < 3 compared to patients with an ISS > 15. Mortality for patients with an ISS 16–19 and AIS head < 3 (qualifying for the ACS but not the HSM-definition of TCN) was found to be twice as high for patients who were not in the ACS or the HSM group (ISS < 16 & AIS head < 3). Conclusions: If confirmed by others, both the ACS and the Swiss-recommendations for TCN should be adapted accordingly, provided that the resultant increased workload is feasible for the trauma centers concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Increase in in situ breast cancer (BCIS) incidence has been reported across Europe and the USA. However, little is known about the trends in BCIS incidence in regions without population-based mammographic screening programs. We set out to investigate these trends in Zurich, Switzerland, where only opportunistic mammographic screening exists.Methods: Data from 989 women diagnosed with a primary BCIS between 2003 and 2014 were used in our analyses. Age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person-years (ASR) were computed per year. Additional analyses by BCIS subtype, by age group at diagnosis and by incidence period were conducted. Incidence trends over time were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis.Results: The overall BCIS ASR was 10.7 cases per 100,000 person-years with an increasing trend over the study period. A similar trend was observed for the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) ASR, while the lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) ASR decreased. Age-specific analyses revealed that the 50-59 year age group had the highest BCIS ASR. The highest increase in BCIS ASR, even though not statistically significant, was observed for the < 40 year age group.Conclusions: BCIS ASR increased linearly over a 12-year period. The increase was reflected by an increase in DCIS ASR, whereas LCIS ASR decreased over time. The highest increase in BCIS ASR over the study period was observed for the < 40 year age group, even though not statistically significant. Patient and tumor characteristics of this group that may be associated with BCIS development warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To examine factors associated with Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) results in patients with painful musculoskeletal conditions, with focus on social factors across multiple countries. Methods International cross-sectional study was performed within care as usual. Simple and multiple multilevel linear regression analyses which considered measurement's dependency within clinicians and country were conducted: FCE characteristics and biopsychosocial variables from patients and clinicians as independent variables; and FCE results (floor-to-waist lift, six-minute walk, and handgrip strength) as dependent variables. Results Data were collected for 372 patients, 54 clinicians, 18 facilities and 8 countries. Patients' height and reported pain intensity were consistently associated with every FCE result. Patients' sex, height, reported pain intensity, effort during FCE, social isolation, and disability, clinician's observed physical effort, and whether FCE test was prematurely ended were associated with lift. Patient's height, Body Mass Index, post-test heart-rate, reported pain intensity and effort during FCE, days off work, and whether FCE test was prematurely ended were associated with walk. Patient's age, sex, height, affected body area, reported pain intensity and catastrophizing, and physical work demands were associated with handgrip. Final regression models explained 38‒65% of total variance. Clinician and country random effects composed 1-39% of total residual variance in these models. Conclusion Biopsychosocial factors were associated with every FCE result across multiple countries; specifically, patients' height, reported pain intensity, clinician, and measurement country. Social factors, which had been under-researched, were consistently associated with FCE performances. Patients' FCE results should be considered from a biopsychosocial perspective, including different social contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study we compared Swissmedic's (SMC's) regulatory marketing authorization decisions to those of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European drug regulatory authorities (EU). We investigated the overall similarity of the regulatory decisions, approval, and postmarketing withdrawal rates in the 3 jurisdictions. In case regulatory decisions diverged, we analyzed the reasons for rejection of marketing authorization applications (MAAs). Methods: The study comprises 255 new molecular entity (NME) MAAs assessed by SMC by the EU and FDA between 2005 through 2014. Study parameters included the regulatory decision, postmarketing withdrawal rates, and the official reasons for rejection. Results: Regulatory decisions converged to a high degree among all 3 agencies (between 84% and 90%). SMC's average approval rate (84%) was slightly lower than those of the FDA (87%) and the EU (91%). Postmarketing withdrawal rates were generally low (4%-5%) but were 3 to 5 times higher when decisions among the drug regulatory authorities (DRAs) diverged. SMC's primary grounds for rejection were lack of efficacy (45%) and safety (40%). Conclusions: The 3 investigated DRAs adhere largely to the same scientific principles and regulatory guidelines; therefore, remaining disparities ought to be considered in a cultural, legal and public health priority context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the adoption of secondary preventive behaviors is significant in regions with disparities in mammography use and breast cancer survival. Therefore, we determined the cognitive factors and the degree to which they differentiate stages of change in mammography among Mexican women. We also compared the decisional balance performance at Mexico, Switzerland, South Korea, and the USA. A cross-sectional study was designed for women in the stages of precontemplation (n = 240), contemplation (n = 243), action (n = 205), maintenance (n = 311), and relapse (n = 348). We only considered those ≥40 years with no cancer history. We measured the pros, cons, and self-efficacy, among other components. The decisional balance was estimated, and the result was transformed into T-scores. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated with multinomial logistic regression using precontemplation as the reference group. The decisional balance distinguished stages partially: in contemplation, the OR was 1.26 (95%CI 1.08, 1.47) and in maintenance, 1.34 (95%CI 1.13, 1.59); in action and relapse, the statistical significance was marginal (p < 0.10). The decisional balance T-score performance registered variations among countries. Additionally, the effect of self-efficacy progressively ascended from contemplation to action and maintenance (OR = 1.29 [95%CI 1.05, 1.58], 1.53 [95%CI 1.20, 1.96], and 2.48 [95%CI 1.82, 3.39], respectively). Furthermore, risk perception and severity did not have an effect on stages of change among Mexican women. Recognition of what provokes action in a population is a key factor in the efficacy of screening programs. Variations among countries highlight the necessity for importance of investigating cognitive determinants for mammography in specific areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate recent prevalence data (2011-2013) on traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) provider use and sociodemographic and health related correlates in nationally representative population samples from 32 countries from all world regions.Methods: This secondary analysis was based on the International Social Survey Program (ISSP), 2011-2013, Health and Health Care Module. In a cross-sectional population-based survey (N=52,801), simple or multi-stage stratified random sampling was used, resulting in representative samples of the adult population of respective countries.Results: Overall, the 12-month TCAM provider use prevalence was 26.4%, ranging from under 10% in Bulgaria, Poland and Slovenia to over 50% in China mainland, the Philippines and Republic of Korea. Over 80% TCAM treatment satisfaction was found in Europe in Denmark, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland, in Asia in Taiwan (China) and USA. Multivariate logistic regression found sociodemographic variables (middle age, female sex, lower educational status, not having a religious affiliation, and lower economic indicators) and health variables (perceived poor or fair health status, being unhappy and depressed, having a chronic condition or disability, and having positive attitudes towards TCAM) were associated with TCAM provider use.Conclusions: A high prevalence TCAM provider use was found in all world regions and several sociodemographic and health related factors of its use were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public funding agencies largely support academic research as an effort to stimulate future product commercialization and foster broader societal benefits. Yet, translating research nurtured in academic settings into such outcomes is complex and demands functional interactions between government, academic, and industry, i.e., 'triple helix,' organizations within an innovation ecosystem. This article argues that in the spirit of responsible innovation, research funding should build bridges that extend beyond the triple helix stakeholders to connect to peripheral organizations. To support that argument, evidence from agent network analysis gathered from two case studies reveals strong and weak connections, as well as gaps within innovation ecosystems in Switzerland and metropolitan Phoenix, USA. This article offers insights on how innovation ecosystems are aligned or misaligned with responsible innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to validate a recently proposed new grading system for ocular manifestations of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Diagnosis of cGVHD was based on the NIH consensus criteria. In addition, a grading scale was applied, which has been developed by the German-Austrian-Swiss Consensus Conference on Clinical Practice in cGVHD. Sixty-six patients (male n = 46, female n = 20, mean age 48 years) with ocular cGVHD were included. Application of the proposed Consensus Conference grading revealed inflammatory activity in all patients with mild (33 %), moderate (44 %), or severe inflammation (23 %). Clinical scoring by the NIH scoring system showed that 6 % of patients had mild symptoms; 59 % of patients had moderate dry eye symptoms partially affecting activities of daily living, without vision impairment; and 35 % of patients had severe dry eye symptoms significantly affecting daily activities. Clinical characterization and grading by the Consensus Conference grading scale revealed that ocular cGVHD (1) frequently leads to severe ocular surface disease based on impaired function of the lacrimal glands and involvement of cornea, conjunctiva, and lids; (2) is mostly associated with ongoing inflammatory activity; (3) often leads to functional impairment and reduced quality of life; and (4) is associated with an increased risk for severe, sight-threatening complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional hydropower creates a number of adverse environmental effects, nowadays largely recognized but still in conflict with rights granted in previous era of development. The Upper Rhone River basin is heavily developed for hydropower generation. As this region undergoes a period of new concession grants, environmental legislation should eventually be implemented to its full extent. This turning point also allows changes in dams' ownership and institutional setting, and these aspects attract much of the political attention. The article compares the US hydropower regulatory framework and the country's experience in dam relicensing to highlight shortcomings in the Swiss regulatory framework and possible outcomes of the concession reversion process in Canton Valais. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voter initiatives are important for policy making in many countries. While much research shows that the initiative process affects policy choices, almost no evidence explains how the initiative process affects policy. Initiatives might change policy directly through voters approving laws that override the legislature; or the initiative process may change policy indirectly by providing a threat that induces the legislature to change policy. This article develops an empirical strategy to measure the direct and indirect effects of the initiative based on the idea that direct effects can be inferred from states that actually pass initiatives while indirect effects can be inferred from states where the initiative is available but not used. Evidence from 50 states on nine separate issues suggests that both direct and indirect effects are important, but the direct effect is several times larger than the threat effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of medulloblastoma likely encompasses several distinct entities, with recent evidence for the existence of at least four unique molecular subgroups that exhibit distinct genetic, transcriptional, demographic, and clinical features. Assignment of molecular subgroup through routine profiling of high-quality RNA on expression microarrays is likely impractical in the clinical setting. The planning and execution of medulloblastoma clinical trials that stratify by subgroup, or which are targeted to a specific subgroup requires technologies that can be economically, rapidly, reliably, and reproducibly applied to formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens. In the current study, we have developed an assay that accurately measures the expression level of 22 medulloblastoma subgroup-specific signature genes (CodeSet) using nanoString nCounter Technology. Comparison of the nanoString assay with Affymetrix expression array data on a training series of 101 medulloblastomas of known subgroup demonstrated a high concordance (Pearson correlation r = 0.86). The assay was validated on a second set of 130 non-overlapping medulloblastomas of known subgroup, correctly assigning 98% (127/130) of tumors to the appropriate subgroup. Reproducibility was demonstrated by repeating the assay in three independent laboratories in Canada, the United States, and Switzerland. Finally, the nanoString assay could confidently predict subgroup in 88% of recent FFPE cases, of which 100% had accurate subgroup assignment. We present an assay based on nanoString technology that is capable of rapidly, reliably, and reproducibly assigning clinical FFPE medulloblastoma samples to their molecular subgroup, and which is highly suited for future medulloblastoma clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the stock market return predictability of the monthly market premium, monthly size, value and momentum premiums. It compares the monthly data between January 1989 and March 2007 of the stock markets in the U.S. and Switzerland to test the robustness of the U.S. results to show the importance of data mining in the context of out-of-sample forecasts. Results show that there are no solid indications that the market premium is predictable.

This article seeks to assess whether physician payment reforms in the United States and Switzerland were likely to attain their objectives. We first introduce basic contract theory, with the organizing principle being the degree of information asymmetry between the patient and the health care provider. Depending on the degree of information asymmetry, different forms of payment induce “appropriate” behavior. These theoretical results are then pitted against the RBRVS of the United States to find that a number of its aspects are not optimal. We then turn to Switzerland’s Tarmed and find that it fails to conform with the prescriptions of economic contract theory as well. The article closes with a review of possible reforms that could do away with uniform fee schedules to improve the performance of the health care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ombrotrophic peat core was collected in 2005 from Etang de la Gruère, Jura Mountains, Switzerland. The concentrations of nine among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (i.e., acenaphthene, phenanthrene, fluorene, pyrene, fluoranthene, benzo[ jbk]fluoranthene, benzo[ a]pyrene, benzo[ ghi]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3- cd]pyrene) were determined in both bulk peat and corresponding humic acids (HA) samples by gas chromatography equipped with a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS). The maximum PAHs concentrations in peat (around 1,250 μg Σ PAHs kg−1 dry matter) were found at 28–30 cm of depth, which correspond to ca. 1920–1930, when coal inputs to Switzerland reached their maximum level. Amongst the nine PAHs analyzed in the peat samples, pyrene (Pyr) was the predominant species, accounting for ca. 20–100% of the total PAHs throughout the profile. In the HA fraction, that represents 24.7% (average value) of the bulk peat, only phenanthrene (Phe), and sporadically Pyr and fluoranthene (Fth), were detected. In particular, HA showed Phe concentrations that were ten–150 times higher than corresponding bulk peat samples, thus suggesting its preservation against biodegradation due to the incorporation into HA molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article covers issues related to pharmaceutical medicine as of August 2008. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented changes to the labelling for prescription drugs as well as biological products. PricewaterhouseCoopers has regarded that the creation of a computer-simulated virtual man will help in pharmaceutical research and development. The 61st World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland has come up with a course of action to address the threats to global public health.

The analysis covers 27 international organizations in the years 1950–2001. From the first to the last year, staff increased at a compound average rate of 3.2% per annum, while the number of member states rose by only 2.5%. The pooled analysis of 817 observations (including task proxies and organization dummies) reveals that (i) the elasticity of staff to membership is much larger than unity (1.36), (ii) United Nations organizations have significantly more staff, (iii) international organizations in the United States and Switzerland have significantly less staff, (iv) heterogeneity in terms of per capita income limits the size of an international organization and that (v) its staff is larger if its membership comprises many industrial or (former) communist countries. In a reduced sample, the financing share of the largest contributor in combination with the party or programmatic orientation of its government has a significantly negative effect on staff because the size of the largest financing share determines the incentive to monitor. U.S. exit from an international organization reduces its staff significantly. Most of these results depend on the condition that the non-stationary component of staff size is not taken account of by time dummies or trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the selection of Northwestern University senior student John Romankiewicz of Illinois and University of Texas graduate student Rejanah Steward as the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) Student Ambassadors to the 2006 Junior Euromat Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. They were selected by the TMS Foundation after presenting quality research at the 2006 TMS Technical Division Student Poster Contest. They presented an overview of their research at the Euromat.

The baseline economic model for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) disease was developed in the context of patterns of care and resource use within the UK. It provided the opportunity to evaluate the extent to which an economic model developed in one country could be applied to meet the pharmacoeconomic information needs of decision makers in another. The choice of countries for analysis was restricted to countries within the International Gastro Primary Care Group (IGPCG) who had previously agreed on the appropriateness of the basic clinical algorithm to their domestic healthcare environment. This provided a potential sample of 9 countries (Australia, Austria, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA) of which the UK, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland were chosen as providing a broad spectrum of strategic and operating environments in which to test the international transferability of the economic model. The process and results obtained provide valuable evidence of the extent to which economic analyses can be transferred across national borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper extends previous work on the information content of the term structure of interest rates using a newly constructed dataset for the United States, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands (1982-1991). Results significantly differ from Jorion and Mishkin (1991). Apparently, the relation between the term structure of interest rates and future inflation is highly period- and country-dependent. We provide new evidence that these results may be due to the inability of financial markets to accurately predict a term structure of inflation in combination with the conduct of monetary policy. This probably accounts for large variation in ex post real interest rate levels and the term structure of real interest rates. Consequently, it is unlikely that the term structure of nominal interest rates wilt serve as a good indicator of future inflationary developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the dynamic relationship between short term interest rates and inflation is analyzed for five countries (U.S.A., UK, France, Germany and Switzerland), covering the period 1974-1980. The framework of analysis is the bivariate autoregressive representation of the interest and the inflation rate, which allows to test the traditional approach (interest rate as distributed lag of inflation) as well as the novel approach of Fama (the inflation rate as function of the one period lagged interest rate). In general, the hypotheses of both approaches are rejected by the data. An analysis of the variability of the real interest rate suggests that it contributes strongly to the variation of the nominal interest rate and that the nominal interest rate and inflation help to predict the ex ante real interest rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines issues on family socialization and juvenile delinquency using data from the U.S. and Switzerland. Researchers realized the shortcomings of intrasocietal research and the importance of cross-cultural studies in understanding and preventing juvenile delinquency. There were differences found in incidences of juvenile delinquencies between Europeans and Americans. American males were found to be 15 times more likely to be victims of homicide than their counterparts in Europe. The prevention of juvenile delinquency rests on two factors such as early childhood socialization with the application of control theory terminology and intervention/prevention that is focused on the child's family, socialization, and education.

Comments on the article "The Velocity of Integration," by Jan Tinbergen. Historical conditions of integration in France, Switzerland and the U.S.; Causes of the differences in the growth rates of integration; Sovereign units that are integrated to France; Information on the western European integration.

The article focuses on the status of research on particle physics in the U.S. In the past, U.S. was the acknowledged leader in elementary-particle physics. But this was about to change when the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland starts its operation. The author suggests that the government must commit resources to bring the International Linear Collider to Fermilab to prevent the slow death of the laboratory and advance research on particle physics.

The topic of this paper has been motivated by the rising unemployment rate of low-skilled relative to high-skilled labour in Switzerland. Between 1991 and 2014, Switzerland experienced the highest relative increase in the low-skilled unemployment rate among all OECD countries. A natural culprit for this development is "globalization" as indicated by some mass layoffs in Switzerland and as commonly voiced in public debates all over the world. Our analysis, which is based on panel data covering the years 1991 to 2008 and approximately 33,000 individuals employed in the Swiss manufacturing sector, does not, however, confirm this presumption. We do not find strong evidence for a positive relationship between import competition and (low-skilled) individuals' likelihood of becoming unemployed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the XXIII Indian Colloquium on Micropaleontology and Stratigraphy (ICMS) held during December 9-11, 2011 at the Department of Geology at the Bangalore University, Bangalore is presented. The ICMS Colloquia is held every two years at universities and national institutes across India. The conference has attracted 300 delegates from different colleges and universities across India and abroad including the U.S. and Switzerland.

Information about the World Health Organization (WHO) meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland is presented. Topics include the H5N1 avian influenza virus, a recommendation from the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) and the need for virus studies to be published in full. The meeting featured several notable people including Ron Fouchier, Yoshihiro Kawaoka and Paul Keim.

The article discusses the cancer drug DCVax-Brain and its approval process in Switzerland and the United States. The article describes how the Swiss Institute of Public Health declared that it would allow the importing and exporting of the drug even though it has not been approved. The United States Food and Drug Administration has delayed the development of the drug in order to ensure proper execution of clinical outcomes. Details are provided regarding the drug's use as a vaccine consisting in dendritic cells pulsed with antigens derived from a tumor cell lysate from a resected gioblastoma. Also discussed are the cancer drugs Provenge, Junovan, and MyVax.

The article presents the study conducted by Yanming Ma of Jilan University of China and colleagues from Switzerland, Germany, Russia, and the U.S. which found that sodium becomes transparent to visible light at pressures of about 200 gigapascals(GPa). It revealed that sodium will become back at 130 GPa and will become transparent at around 200 GPa. It concluded that there are other metals which are likely to show the same transparency under pressure.

The article reports that the race continues to discover the Higgs boson particle. Problems with a magnet have continued to delay the start of experiments using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator near Geneva, Switzerland. The Tevatron collider at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) in Illinois is also searching for the particle.

Reports on the completed sequencing of the rice genome by Switzerland-based agribusiness company, Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. in collaboration with Utah-based company, Myriad Genetics Inc. Deals between the two companies for sequencing of the rice genome; Plans of Syngenta regarding the publication of data on sequencing of the rice genome.

Reports on the departure of Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc. from its partnership with Carlsbad, California-based Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Changes in the financing arrangement made by Isis; Impact of development of two antisense compounds by Isis; Applications of the antisense technology.

Reports that United States and European officials have signed an agreement under which the US will contribute funds towards the construction of the Large Hadron Collider, European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland. Comments from US energy secretary Federico Pena; Details of US contribution; Project's completion date.

Discusses United States Representative James Sensenbrenner's acceptance of a modified agreement for United States participation in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) project. The responsibility of Sensenbrenner as the chairman of the Science Committee in the US House of Representatives; The LHC being part of the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN); The negotiations between CERN and the US Department of Energy; The objections of some US lawmakers against American involvement.

Editorial. Discusses the debate in the US Congress over whether funds will be given for participation in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN). The campaign of Joe Barton of Texas against US support; The decision by the Science Committee of the House of Representative to withhold funding pending clarifications from the US Department of Energy.

Reports on the decision by the Clinton administration to back a United States contribution towards construction of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European particle physics laboratory (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland. The efforts of the Department of Energy; The findings of the White House Office of Management and Budget; The impact of the United States decision.

Discusses a bill backing the involvement of the United States in the construction of Europe's planned Large Hadron Collider. Endorsement of budget for high-energy physics; Direction of United States Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary to negotiate with the European Laboratory for Particle Physics; Conditions set for any resultant agreement.

Reports on American government policy regarding the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland. Failure of science adviser John Gibbons to back the idea in a presentation to Congress; Cancellation of the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC); Estimated cost of participation in CERN.

Reports on the dispute between Carlo Rubbia, the director of the European Laboratory for Participle Physics (CERN) and researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States over competing claims regarding a technique in producing nuclear energy. Claim of the group from Los Alamos that they described Rubbia's concept in detail in a paper published 1992.