Aortoesophageal fistula and sudden death. A report of two cases and review of the literature

Two cases of aortoesophageal fistula are presented. The etiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of aortoesophageal fistula are reviewed. Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal hemorrhage followed by sudden collapse hours to days later should prompt consideration of an aortoesophageal fistula. Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies, particularly by children, is a frequent etiology.     

Income redistribution: An international perspective

Many view global income inequality as a problem. Income redistribution from the rich countries to poor countries is often offered as a solution. However, such redistribution would have to be politically acceptable to voters in rich countries to occur. Using a constructed distribution of world income we show that even modest income redistribution efforts would impose significant costs on taxpayer-voters in rich countries. We conclude such income redistribution is unlikely.     

Social science mandarins: Policymaking as a political formula

This article strongly suggests that the customary sequence of events starting with science and terminating with policy-making lacks empirical confirmation; that in fact, the actual sequence of events is primarily determined by policy stances and terminates with some form of scientific investigation, geared however to legitimation rather than explanation. Four empirical case studies are examined: Brown v. Board of Education; Project Clear; Project Camelot; and the Moynihan Report. In each case it is evident that the causal model most appropriate is one that recognizes the legitimation role of social science as dominant. The article concludes with an examination of key factors in the present structure of government and science that makes the teleological model central; it also points out that such a model is neither better nor worse than the customary ways of viewing the relationships; only different in implication and explication.