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This paper empirically analyses the stability of the aggregate import demand function for G7 countries. The standard cointegration test and a test developed by Gregory and Hansen are performed. The results of standard cointegration tests suggest that there is no stable cointegrating relation between real import, real GDP and relative import price for all G7 countries. The cointegrating relation is empirically supported for France and Germany if structural change for cointegrating vector is explicitly taken into consideration. The cointegrating relation is empirically rejected for Canada, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA. Thus, the stimulation of domestic business conditions will not necessarily link the quantity of imports for these five countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrasts some approaches to quality and design, comparing Japan, Germany, Italy and the UK. The case for design is discussed and various types of design are covered in relation to the product development process. The author describes how to manage the design process to achieve quality products; four important areas are highlighted--management commitment, employee involvement, appropriate use of technology, and emphasis on the customer. Finally the paper looks briefly at the management of new product development and the formation and composition of the product development team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Public health and preventive medicine (PHPM) has been recognized internationally as a physician specialty, but national parallels and differences exist between training contexts. This paper reviews PHPM training and employment in Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Methods: Information gathered from relevant accreditation bodies and literature searches was used to create descriptive profiles of national training demographics and structure and a narrative outlining trends and challenges facing the specialty. Results: Notable similarities and differences exist between national contexts. Key themes were differences in training strategies and practice scope, specialty stakeholders, certification structure, and funding. Recognition challenges faced the specialty across all six countries. Other challenges included unclear competencies and training strategies and a need for PHPM specialists to highlight their role in combating population health threats. Additional differences existed between comparator countries on the structure of training, funding sources for training programs, availability of training posts, and linkages with other physician specialties. Conclusion: Highlighting these themes is a first step to fostering training collaborations between PHPM specialist physicians to augment transnational action on global public health challenges and also supports PHPM physician educators with innovative solutions from abroad that might address domestic specialty challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The section of "Woolen-yarn Manufacture," presents information on the woolen and worsted yarn industry, especially wool industries of seven countries including the U.S., the Great Britain, Japan, Italy, Germany, Belgium and France. It reports that these countries constitute 70-80% of woolen and worsted-yarn production. It is noted that 70% of total wool and 77% of total worsted yarn were produced by the U.S., Japan and Italy in 1982. In the last decade several woolen manufacturers have shut down in Europe. Whereas, woolen industry in Scotland, which produced 7% of woolen yarn of total production by the Great Britain ten years ago, now produces 20%. The most recent fall in production levels in the woolen industry is believed to have reached a minimum, and an improvement in trade is expected over the next few years.