Price setting in the euro area: Some stylized facts from Individual Consumer Price Data

This paper documents patterns of price setting at the retail level in the euro area. A set of stylized facts on the frequency and size of price changes is presented along with an econometric investigation of their main determinants. Price adjustment in the euro area can be summarized in six stylized facts. First, prices of most products change rarely. The average monthly frequency of price adjustment is 15 p.c., compared to about 25 p.c. in the US. Second, the frequency of price changes is characterized by substantial crossproduct heterogeneity and pronounced sectoral patterns: prices of (oilrelated) energy and unprocessed food products change very often, while price adjustments are less frequent for processed food products, nonenergy industrial goods and services. Third, crosscountry heterogeneity exists but is less pronounced. Fourth, price decreases are not uncommon. Fifth, price increases and decreases are sizeable compared to aggregate and sectoral inflation rates. Sixth, price changes are not highly synchronized across pricesetters. Moreover, the frequency of price changes in the euro area is related to a number of factors, in particular seasonality, outlet type, indirect taxation, use of attractive prices as well as aggregate or productspecific inflation.

Price setting in the euro area: Some stylized facts from Individual Consumer Price Data

This paper documents patterns of price setting at the retail level in the euro area, summarized in six stylized facts. First, the average euro area monthly frequency of price adjustment is 15 p.c., compared to about 25 p.c. in the US. Second, the frequency of price changes is characterized by substantial cross product heterogeneity - prices of oil and unprocessed food products change very often, while price adjustments are less frequent for processed food, non energy industrial goods and services. Third, cross country heterogeneity exists but is less pronounced. Fourth, price decreases are not uncommon. Fifth, price increases and decreases are sizeable compared to aggregate and sectoral inflation rates. Sixth, price changes are not highly synchronized across retailers. Moreover, the frequency of price changes in the euro area is related to several factors, such as seasonality, outlet type, indirect taxation, pricing practices as well as aggregate or product specific inflation.Price-setting, consumer price, frequency of price change.

Price setting in the euro area: some stylized facts from individual consumer price data

This paper documents patterns of price setting at the retail level in the euro area, summarized in six stylized facts. First, the average euro area monthly frequency of price adjustment is 15 p.c., compared to about 25 p.c. in the US. Second, the frequency of price changes is characterized by substantial cross product heterogeneity - prices of oil and unprocessed food products change very often, while price adjustments are less frequent for processed food, non energy industrial goods and services. Third, cross country heterogeneity exists but is less pronounced. Fourth, price decreases are not uncommon. Fifth, price increases and decreases are sizeable compared to aggregate and sectoral inflation rates. Sixth, price changes are not highly synchronized across retailers. Moreover, the frequency of price changes in the euro area is related to several factors, such as seasonality, outlet type, indirect taxation, pricing practices as well as aggregate or product specific inflation. JEL Classification: E31, D40, C25consumer price, frequency of price change, Pricesetting

Transcriptome analysis of Taenia solium cysticerci using Open reading Frame ESTS (ORESTES)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human infection by the pork tapeworm <it>Taenia solium </it>affects more than 50 million people worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Cysticercosis which arises from larval encystation can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Here, we investigate for the first time the transcriptome of the clinically relevant cysticerci larval form.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) produced by the ORESTES method, a total of 1,520 high quality ESTs were generated from 20 ORESTES cDNA mini-libraries and its analysis revealed fragments of genes with promising applications including 51 ESTs matching antigens previously described in other species, as well as 113 sequences representing proteins with potential extracellular localization, with obvious applications for immune-diagnosis or vaccine development.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The set of sequences described here will contribute to deciphering the expression profile of this important parasite and will be informative for the genome assembly and annotation, as well as for studies of intra- and inter-specific sequence variability. Genes of interest for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools are described and discussed.</p

Comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification, polymerase chain reaction, and selective isolation assays for detection of Xanthomonas albilineans from sugarcane

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed and compared to polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nested PCR, and selective isolation assays for detection of Xanthomonas albilineans, the causal agent of sugarcane leaf scald. The pathogen was isolated on selective medium from 44 out of 45 (98%) samples taken from symptomatic stalks, and from 44 out of 70 (63%) samples from asymptomatic stalks that were collected from plots with symptomatic stalks. Forty-two (93%), 41 (91%), and 42 (93%) symptomatic samples tested positive by LAMP, PCR and nested PCR, respectively. The pathogen was detected in 19 (27%), 8 (11%), and 25 (36%) of the 70 asymptomatic samples by LAMP, PCR and nested PCR, respectively. Symptomatic stalks were mainly, but not always, associated with high populations of the pathogen (107–109 CFU/ml), and asymptomatic stalks with low populations (<103 CFU/ml) or no bacteria. Although our LAMP and nested PCR methods detected 10 CFU/ml of X. albilineans in suspensions prepared with pure culture, they sometimes failed to detect the pathogen in samples with low pathogen populations. Isolation on selective medium along with another method should therefore be used for detection of the pathogen in asymptomatic stalks, especially in quarantine programs

IN SEARCH OF INNOVATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: INTERINSTITUTIONAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT

Objective: To analyze the relationship between control bodies and management bodies and verify possible tension between them, and what are the causes and consequences for innovation in the public sector. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework provides relevant information about the supervision of the Audit Courts in Brazil and its influence on decision-making, risk aversion and the impact of this aversion on innovations in the Brazilian Public Sector. Method: The analysis of this research was based on the methodology of Grounded Theory and on carrying out&nbsp; interviews with directors of two municipalities located in the State of Rio de Janeiro and supervisory employees of two Audit Courts and two Internal Affairs Offices located in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro. Results and Discussion: The existence of tension between control bodies and management bodies contributes to an environment of insecurity and fear in decision-making in public management. The possible causes of this tension are due to factors originating from both sides and from the public sector inspection relationship itself. Research Implications: By specifically examining the causes that lead to this tension, this research fills a crucial gap in the literature, offering insights into the challenges and improvements to having a fertile environment for innovation in the public sector Originality/Value: By understanding the causes that lead to an aversion to risk in relation to innovation, agencies can create mechanisms that create an environment of dialogue and cooperation for innovation in the public sector