Is wearing a face mask a good idea?

Is Fiscal Stimulus a Good Idea?

The results in this paper, using a structural multi-country macroeconometric model, suggest that there is at most a small gain from fiscal stimulus in the form of increased transfer payments or increased tax deductions if the increased debt generated must eventually be paid back. The gain in output and employment on the way up is roughly offset by the loss in output and employment on the way do...

Preoxygenation--the importance of a good face mask seal.

We have studied 16 healthy volunteers whose lungs were preoxygenated six times each in order to assess the amount of room air entrained during tidal volume preoxygenation if a good seal is not maintained between the face mask and the face. With a fresh gas flow of 10 litre min-1, we found that using gravity alone to hold the face mask in position, more than 20% room air was entrained; if the fa...

When is a Communicative Agent a Good Idea?

Research suggests humans treat computers in social ways. We understandably have an interest in building interfaces that use embodiment and natural language to conform to these social roles. However, we must be careful how and when we embed these agents so they actually improve on existing interfaces, rather than simply making them more social.

The Nested Relational Data Model is Not a Good Idea

The nested relational data model is a natural generalisation of the relational data model, but it often leads to designs which hide the data structures needed to specify queries and updates in the information system. The relational data model on the other hand exposes the specifications of the data structures and permits the minimal specification of queries and updates using SQL. The deficienci...

PURLs: Is self-swabbing for STIs a good idea?