We measure how the bundling of television channels affects short-run welfare. We estimate an industry model of viewership, demand, pricing, bundling, and input-market bargaining using data on ...ratings, purchases, prices, bundles, and input costs. We conduct simulations of à la carte policies that require distributors to offer individual channels for sale to consumers. We estimate that negotiated input costs rise by 103.0 percent under à la carte. These higher input costs offset consumer benefits from purchasing individual channels. Mean consumer and total surplus change by an estimated — 5.4 to 0.2 percent and — 1.7 to 6.0 percent, respectively.
We study the effects of asymmetric information and imperfect competition in the market for small business lines of credit. We estimate a structural model of credit demand, loan use, pricing, and firm ...default using matched firm-bank data from Italy. We find evidence of adverse selection in the form of a positive correlation between the unobserved determinants of demand for credit and default. Our counterfactual experiments show that while increases in adverse selection increase prices and defaults on average, reducing credit supply, banks’ market power can mitigate these negative effects.
The epithelial barrier forms the interface between luminal microbes and the host immune system and is the first site of exposure to many of the environmental factors that trigger disease activity in ...chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Disruption of the epithelial barrier, in the form of increased intestinal permeability, is a feature of IBD and other inflammatory diseases, including celiac disease and type 1 diabetes. Variants in genes that regulate or belong to the JAK-STAT signaling pathway are associated with IBD risk. Inhibitors of the JAK-STAT pathway are now effective therapeutic options in IBD. This review will discuss emerging evidence that JAK inhibitors can be used to improve defects in intestinal permeability and how this plays a key role in resolving intestinal inflammation.
Purpose The aim of this study was to review and describe the cumulative incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture and/or clinical objective failures at greater than 10 years after ...ACL reconstruction. Methods A PubMed search was performed to identify and systematically evaluate all studies performed between 1980 and 2012 with clinical outcomes after intra-articular, non-artificial ACL reconstruction and minimum 10-year follow-up. Studies reporting standardized surgical technique, ACL graft rupture, and objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) grade or ligament stability examination were included for analysis. After we first identified patients with graft rupture, clinical failure was further identified as 1 or more of the following: overall IKDC objective score of C or D, IKDC grade C or D pivot shift (i.e., >2+ or pivot shift), IKDC grade C or D Lachman examination, and/or abnormal KT arthrometer (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA) measurement (i.e., >5 mm). For this study, cumulative ACL failure rates were defined as the sum of both clinical failures and ACL graft ruptures. Results After review and exclusion of 625 references, 14 studies were identified for subsequent review. At longer than 10 years' clinical follow-up, the reported ACL graft rupture rate was 6.2% (173 of 2,782) (range, 0% to 13.4%) and clinical failure occurred in approximately 10.3% (158 of 1,532) (range, 1.9% to 25.6%). The overall cumulative ACL failure rate was 11.9% (range, 3.2% to 27%). Conclusions At least 1 in 9 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction will have rerupture or clinical failure at long-term follow-up. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level II and IV studies.
We investigate the welfare effects of vertical integration of regional sports networks (RSNs) with programming distributors in U.S. multichannel television markets. Vertical integration can enhance ...efficiency by reducing double marginalization and increasing carriage of channels, but can also harm welfare due to foreclosure and incentives to raise rivals' costs. We estimate a structural model of viewership, subscription, distributor pricing, and affiliate fee bargaining using a rich data set on the U.S. cable and satellite television industry (2000-2010). We use these estimates to analyze the impact of simulated vertical mergers and divestitures of RSNs on competition and welfare, and examine the efficacy of regulatory policies introduced by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to address competition concerns in this industry.
...even in 2005, when we knew that mental health policies were not being implemented, 2 a major health trust "was asked to make savings to make up for budget overspends by other trusts." None ...declared. 1 Campbell P Boyle A Higginson I. Should we scrap the target of a maximum four hour wait in emergency departments? BMJ 2017; 359: j4857. doi:10.1136/bmj.j4857 29070598 2 Cole A. Mental health plans are not being fully implemented in England.
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